------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: June 22, 1997 Issue #755 HEADLINES: ========== ALTSEAN: PRESS RELEASE - RESPONSE TO SLORC ARRESTS BURMA OFFICE: TRANSLATION OF STATEMENTS 5/97, 6/97 THE NATION: THAILAND TO CELEBRATE TIES WITH BURMA THE NATION: APPROACH TO EMPLOY PERSUASION NEW STRAITS TIMES: ENVOY: AVOID HOTEL INVESTMENTS SLORC: TRUTH AND ETHICS BKK POST: MOEI RIVER WORK AGAIN A HEADACHE THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS ANNOUNCEMENT: BURMESE STUDENTS' REUNION ----------------------------------------------------------------- ALTSEAN: PRESS RELEASE - RESPONSE TO SLORC ARRESTS June 21, 1997 From: altsean@ksc.th.com ALTSEAN-BURMA A L T E R N A T I V E A S E A N N E T W O R K O N B U R M A tel: 66 2 275 1811, 66 2 693 4515 fax: 66 2 693 4515 c/o FORUM-ASIA 109 SUTHISARNWINICHAI RD SAMSENNOK HUAYKWANG BANGKOK 10320 THAILAND FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 21 June 1997 MEDIA STATEMENT: ALTSEAN - BURMA RESPONSE TO SLORC ARREST IN CONNECTION TO ASEAN VIDEO Bangkok: The Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (ALTSEAN-BURMA) today condemned the Slorc regime for using Aung San Suu Kyi's message to Asean as an excuse to arrest five of her close associates. ALTSEAN-BURMA produced the 5-minute video message from Aung San Suu Kyi to Asean leaders. The video, which was released on May 28, days before the Asean Foreign Ministers Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, is also the last available footage of the democracy leader. ALTSEAN-BURMA coordinator Debbie Stothard said: "When we organised the production of the video, we preferred not to ask for details of the people involved. However, we are sure that those arrested did not smuggle the video abroad. " "It is distressing that the Slorc used this video as an excuse to harass the democratically-elected government of Burma." "The arrests are further proof that formal acceptance of the Slorc into Asean will lead to greater repression and harassment of NLD, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the peoples of Burma." "We are deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of the people arrested and we call for their immediate and unconditional release." "We also call for the immediate cessation of harassment and attacks on people engaging in peaceful and legitimate activities in Burma." "We condemn these arrests and interpret them as cowardly acts by a regime which should be engaged in tripartite dialogue with the democracy movement led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the ethnic nationalities", said Stothard. International news agencies today reported that Slorc arrested Ms. Suu Kyi's relatives and personal photographer for allegedly smuggling a videotaped message by the Nobel Laureate opposing Slorc's admission to Asean. Those reportedly arrested are Cho Aung Thau, a cousin of Ms. Suu Kyi, his sister and her husband as well as photographer Ko Sunny and U Hon Myint. Transcripts of the video in question are available upon request from: tel: +66 2 275 1811, fax 662 693 4515 and email: altsean@ksc.th.com ************************************************* BURMA OFFICE: TRANSLATION OF STATEMENTS 5/97, 6/97 June 17, 1997 From: BURMA OFFICE [The following is translated from NLD transcripts (Statement No. 5 & 6) written in Burmese.] National League for Democracy No: 97/B, West Shwegonedine Road Bahan township, Rangoon Statement No. 05/97 1. The National League for Democracy is a legally founded political party which is duly registered [with the Election Commission]. The NLD has clearly announced to the Nation that it is an organisation which lays down principles upon which to systematically build democratic procedures. 2. NLD is the political party which contested in the multi-party and democracy general elections in accordance with democratic principles and won an overwhelming victory. 3. The victorious party planned to hold meetings on 27 and 28 May 1997 with its members and its Representatives of the People (members of the parliament) at State/Division/Township level to discuss ways and means for the establishment of a sustainable and genuine democratic system for the people. 4. When responding this, the State Law and Order Restoration Council never ever took into account the aim of NLD's meeting, but echoed earlier accusations that NLD was creating disturbances and threatening the security of the country. 5. The authorities imposed the following measures in order to prevent the meeting from taking place: a) Barring representatives from States/Divisions/Townships from attending the meeting. b) Arresting representatives from States/Divisions/Townships from attending the meeting. In some cases, wives and children of NLD members were subjected to arrest when their husbands were not found by the authorities. c) Strictly blocking the University Avenue and other roads in Rangoon which lead to NLD General Secretary Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's house. Moreover, they plotted, attempted and threatened to arrest members of the NLD who temporarily gathered at the home of one of the executive members of the NLD by the use of force. d) The aforementioned acts of the State Law and Order Restoration Council are in great contradictory to their claims to establish the country with a democratic system. 7. The NLD, therefore, strongly denounce, all these kinds of aforementioned acts. Rangoon Central Executive Committee 27 May 1997 National League for Democracy ------------------------------ National League for Democracy No: 97/B, West Shwegonedine Road Bahan township, Rangoon Statement No. 06/97 1. It is lamentable that Monywa Tin Shwe (a.k.a) U Tin Shwe (Monywa) (High Court Lawyer and National League for Democracy founding member) passed away on 8 June 1997 (Sunday) aged 68 years. 2. U Tin Shwe was arrested on 29 November 1990 by the authorities, tried under Section 5(a), (e), and (j) of Emergency Provisions Act and sentenced to serve 18 years imprisonment. He was serving his term in Insein Jail. 3. On 23 April 1997, upon learning that the health of U Tin Shwe was greatly deteriorating, the Chairman of the NLD sent a letter to the SLORC in which the following was stated: "...Hereby, the NLD would like to inform that it will hold the authorities if U Tin Shwe was to pass away without enjoying proper rights of a patient such as proper food and admission to a hospital in order to receive proper care treatment." 4. Regarding U Tin Shwe's health situation, we heard as follows: a) He suffered from heart disease and was admitted to the hospital inside the jail in April 1997 (a few days before the Water Festival). b) On 21 April 1997, his family made an appeal to the authorities for permission to allow him to have treatment with physicians and specialists outside the jail. The appeal was in vain. On the same day he was sent back from the in-jail hospital to the cell where he had been kept. c) On 30 April 1997, due to his worsening health condition, he was admitted to the Insein prison hospital again d) On 3 June 1997, he was discharged and sent back to his cell. e) On the morning of 8 June 1997, his room-mate found that he had collapsed in his cell while he was meditating. It was reported that he died on the way to in-jail hospital while he was being carried by the prison authorities. f) When he was taken from there to the Rangoon General Hospital, the doctor-on-duty reportedly stated that he had already died. 5. The aforementioned facts clearly confirm that the health situation of U Tin Shwe was worsening. It should be noticed that he died because the concerned authorities were responsible for denying him a treatment with the physicians and specialists outside the jail after his family had appealed for the necessary treatment. 6. U Tin Shwe was denied access to enjoy his rights as a patient while his health condition was worsening. We urge the authorities to cooperate with [his surviving] family members in order to cremate him according to the rights of Buddhist traditions and customs. Rangoon Central Executive Committee Nayon 5th waxing day, 1359 National League for Democracy June 10, 1997 ******************************************** THE NATION: THAILAND TO CELEBRATE TIES WITH BURMA June 21, 1997 Rita Patiyasevi THAILAND and Burma plan to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations in style next year to reflect the close relations between the two countries, Foreign Ministry Spokesman- Surapong Jayanama said yesterday. Surapong is leaving for Rangoon today to discuss the details and the programme for next year's celebration. In a joint communique issued at the end of Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's visit to Burma in May, both sides agreed to hold a series of events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Burma. Surapong said he will talk with his counterpart about organising seminars by academics and experts on various aspects of bilateral political, economic, social and cultural ties. "We [Thailand and Burma] will produce documentaries to be broadcast on Thai and Burmese television which we hope will forge closer understanding between the two peoples," he said. Economic seminars are being planned to disseminate information and opportunities in trade, investment, tourism and potential border trade, he said. The celebration will include exchange performances of Thai and Burmese cultural troupes and exhibitions. Surapong said that the event fits in with Thailand's policy of cultural diplomacy, which is aimed at cementing closer cultural links with neighbouring countries. He has led several Kathin [a ceremony to present saffron robes to Buddhist monks during the period after the three-month Buddhist lent] tours to regional Buddhist nations Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia, Burma as well as to Southern China to strengthen the common religious bonds. The Thai delegation will visit historical cities of Mandalay, Pagan and Taunggyi. Surapong said that he will follow up the Bt 1million donation Thailand gave to a Buddhist temple near Rangoon last year and will make preparations for the Royal Kathin ceremony in Burma in October. "We will decide which temple will lead the Royal Kathin ceremony." he said. ***************************************** THE NATION: APPROACH TO EMPLOY PERSUASION June 21, 1997 [abridged] THE National Security Council's (NSC) three-year strategic plan towards Burma will focus on convincing Burmese leaders to be aware of the growing trend in other countries to respect human rights and of the benefits democratisation would bring the country. The 1997-to-1999 NSC plan to be submitted for Cabinet approval next Tuesday will also focus on exploring more avenues of economic and technical cooperation with Burma, to the benefit of both countries, and to prevent Burma's natural resources being exploited. The plan, which follows on from the 1994-to-1996 plan, aims at eliminating mutual suspicion between Thailand and Burma. It suggests that Thai authorities put more control on fishermen, illegal loggers and other influential groups who go to Burma to exploit the country's natural resources. As a way of eliminating mutual suspicion, the NSC has suggested tough measures against these ill-intentioned groups as their activities could affect bilateral relations and tarnish Thailand's image. According to the plan, in order to increase safety along the Thai-Burmese border, the government will seek more cooperation from the media, both government-run and private, to present constructive news reports which could promote bilateral relations. The media will be given more opportunities to have firsthand experience of all events in the area so they can relay correct news reports to their readers or viewers. ********************************************* NEW STRAITS TIMES: ENVOY: AVOID HOTEL INVESTMENTS IN MYANMAR June 19, 1997 MALAYSIAN companies should not rush into investment in hotel and apartment projects in Myanmar because of the present slow growth in those sectors, said Malaysia's ambassador to Myanmar, Datuk Abdu1 Wahab Harun. But Wahab advised that they could invest in sectors such as energy, telecommunications, roads, agriculture and timber. "They are good investments," he said, adding that local businessmen should move fast to take up the offers if they do not want to be left out. He said that investors in hotels and apartments that that they might difficulty due to "certain (investment) rules which are a bit tough". "At the moment, I would also not encourage Malaysians to go into hotels andapartment projects because the growth is a bit slow," said Wahab, who has been posted to Yangon since October 1995. Currently, many Malaysian companies had invested these projects although they seem to do well . IGB Corporation Bhd is among a few Malaysian companies which will embark on a RM50 million Micasa Yangon Hotel Apartments in Myanmar in partnership with Tan & Tan Developments Bhd, IJM Corporation Bhd and Malaysia South-South Corporation Bhd. "But with very slow tourist arrivals in Myanmar due to the the adverse publicity by the foreign media, there may not be high demands for hotels," he said. Wahab cited the Visit Myanmar Year '96 as example which he said received only "luke warm" response because of "bad PR (public relations)". "But at the same time, there are people who are curious. And they realise that the country is not as bad as portrayed by the foreign press," he said. The ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council has attracted international criticism for alleged human. rights abuses. And last month, the United States banned new US investments in Myanmar. Malaysia is the sixth largest investor in Myanmar after Japan, Singapore, France, Thailand and US. Myanmar Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw said that Malaysia's total investment in Myanmar accounted for nearly US$6 billion (RM15 billion) mostly in the offshore gas and hotel industry. Ohn Gyaw said the future looks good for Malaysian investment in Myanmar, a country which will become a full member of Asean next month along with Cambodia and Laos. Wahab said Petronas, which is currently engaged in producing side products like lubricants in Myanmar, has expressed interest to go into oil and gas exploration. "I would encourage that as Myanmar is rich in offshore oil," he said, adding that Petronas officials had held discussions with him and Myanmar officials on the possibility of a joint venture. To date, four Malaysian based banks also have set up their operations in Yangon, among them May bank, Public Bank, Bank of Commerce and MBF Group. Wahab also 'disclosed that investment incentives in Myanmar not really that bad." "It is for our investors to understand the background of Myanmar," he said. On the US sanctions, Wahab said it would have no effect on Malaysian investments. He said should US companies pull out of Myanmar, Malaysian companies should take the opportunity immediately to fill the vacuum. --- Bernama ******************************************** SLORC: TRUTH AND ETHICS June 18, 1997 From: OKKAR66127@AOL.COM by Mya Thinn I heard President Clinton's voice over the radio about a fortnight ago. Being up against the wall bout white water and the sexual harassment affairs, he was making a pathetic plea to the " press ; urging that they should base their reports on true facts and publish only the truth; that they should uphold " Journalistic Ethics" at all time. I trust that Mr. Clinton will now understand how utterly disgusted we feel with the irresponsible attitude and behavior of the international media. It appears that the truth is no longer important in ultra free societies; rather it is now much sensation one can stir up is what matters. Mrs. Hilary Clinton summed it up be very aptly on the "Larry King Show". Quote- " Now adays anything can be twisted- People are no longer given the benefit of the doubt"- unquote. On 25 February 1997, so- called Drs. Mary Clark and Mark Levy of Trinity College, Cambridge arrived at tile gate of the Ministry of Forestry in Yangon. Although they did not have a prior appointment, they were ushered in and met by Advisor U Ye Myint, who believing them to be genuine environmental scientists, explained matters concerning environmental and Forestry policies, issues, concerns and efforts being undertaken to concerns What we have now, for posterity. On 23 March 1997, the article "Burma's Junta goes green", save the rhino, Kill the people" appeared in the London Observer. It was written by Adrian Levy, Cathy Scott-Clark and David Harrison. Quote "Nature groups work with Junta in Burma's ethnic killing fields. World renowned wildlife groups are working with Bun military regime on huge conservation projects on sites being cleared by systematic slaughter of the Karen ethnic Minority. Human rights groups condemned the conservation groups' collaboration and demanded their immediate withdrawal"- unquote Their main focus was to discredit our plans to establish the Myinmoletkat Nature Reserve, and deprive us of all international assistance. They openly admitted to having entered Myanmar illegally across the border from Thailand and flirting with illegal insurgent groups. They came to the Ministry of Forestry in Yangon, under false pretenses. Then went back and wrote a whole bag full of lies. The Ministry of Forestry is not at the end of a long tree lined road, but just off the main road down a short lane. There is only one main gate and no road blocks. The security personnel are the police not the military. Their uniforms are Khaki not blue. They don't carry their weapons with bayonets fixed. There are no sinister military intelligence officers with reflector sunglasses around. Yes, the Myinmoletkat Nature Reserve is large, comprising almost 1.2 million hectares and represents a large expanse of tropical rain forest ecosystems remaining in pristine conditions which is home to rare flora and fauna as they have rightly observed. It is however not a political face saving exercise, but committed endeavour to save what is left of the natural environment it is not in the'' Karen area " as claimed, but in the Tanintharyi Division much farther south, that is mostly inhabited by the Tavoy and Myeik people who are basically Burmese. There are cluster, of Karens, Mons, Shans, Malays, Chinese, Indians widely dispersed along the narrow strip. The K.N.U insurgents are a later addition as they extended their territory Southwards after the army had squashed the former occupants, the Burma Communist Party. Pockets of K.N.U groups are merely economic bandits, who are hindering development of the border areas, and do not in any way represent the Karen interest. We have not sought assistance from any international conservation organization; and none of them have been involved in the Myinmoletkat project till now. Organizations such as the Smithsonian Institution and the Wildlife Conservation Society are here because they have travelled extensively inside Myanmar and know at first hand our true situation. W.C.S is not involved in establishing a management plan for Lampi National Marine Park, but merely assisted us in acquiring of expertise in assessing our coral reefs. We have never claimed close relations with the World Wildlife Fund; though we have made some overtures to invite them over so that they could see things for themselves. But we have been working closely with subsidiaries of W.W.F such as the Asian Elephant Specialist Group. These renowned organizations dedicated to conservation have been helping us with what little resources they can muster, mainly in capacity building at the grass roots level. It is beyond comprehension how degenerate, unprincipled and unethical people can become; to the extent of compromising environmental conservation for political and personal interests. The news that gullible politicians in Washington had reacted swiftly to this insidious article, was stunning. Immediately a thought occurred to me, that perhaps this was a deliberate pre-meditated and carefully coordinated move to discredit the international recognition we have received for having conserved our natural environment. Honourable, dignified and dedicated scientists were summoned before a congressional panel, put to the grind and ordered to stop all activities in Myanmar. It is a blatant display of dictatorial, undemocratic practises. We grieve at the thought of our honourable colleagues in conservation being made to cower under the misguided dictates of politicians of dubious calibre and intentions, who neither understand nor care about the environment and its relation to the susceptibility of the human race. Myanmar is one of the highest biodiversity countries in Asia, all the more reason why it should be accorded the utmost assistance. The programme for the expansion of the protected areas is being undertaken in conformity will the Forest Policy which advocates increasing our protected gas coverage to 50% in the short term and 10% in the long term. The inclusion of this reserve will raise the coverage to 3.5% We have identified other worthy areas too, and will plod along, regardless of support or no support; and the likes of Levy, Scott-clark and Harrison trying to upset our plans. It is against the ideals and principles of the U.N charter to victimize a sovereign state that is a full fledged member of the international previleges. Myanmar having signed the Biodiversity Convention and ratified it, has undeniable rights to financial resources technological and other inputs from the U.N and its related organizations; including the conservation NGOs who are obligated to assist nations with their conservation endeavors. No government has the right to coerce those organizations to turn their backs on any country; and reputable organizations should not allow themselves to be intimidated; instead, they should make a moral stand for what is right. President Clinton in his address delivered in London recently, with Prime Minister Mr. Blair, stated that preventing environmental degradation was one of the priority commitments of his government . If it is so, I would like to urge the President to have the US government ratify the Biodiversity Convention immediately, as they have not done so yet; and stop ill informed, self centred politicians and journalists from undermining noble environmental conservation efforts being undertaken the interest of the future of mankind. ****************************************** BKK POST: MOEI RIVER WORK AGAIN A HEADACHE June 20, 1997 Nussara Sawatsawang Dredging on agenda for territorial talks Burma has submitted a new plan to dredge the Moei River that threatens to enlarge "by several times" disputed territory with Thailand, a senior Thai Foreign Ministry official said yesterday. Somboon Sa-ngiambutr, director-general of the ministry department of treaties and legal affairs, said the plan was presented to him last week by his Burmese counterpart, Aye Lwin. It will be a key point during a meeting of senior officials in Rangoon from June 30 to July 2. The Burmese claim the dredging is aimed at preventing flooding in Myawaddy, which they believe is more vulnerable than Thailand's Mae Sot, but Mr Somboon insisted that "dredging the channel would not help reduce floods". Thai and Burmese troops came close to a military clash late last month after the dredging began close to Wat Khok Chang Pheuak, otensibly to reclaim land they said they lost to heavy floodingin 1994. The Burmese called off the dredging after strong protests from Thailand, but made it clear that it was only a temporary halt. Under the new plan, Burma wants to dredge in the same area. Burma based plans on a 1989 aerial map that both countries use to define the borderline. The upcoming officials' meeting will examine documentary evidence from both sides. Findings will be submitted to a joint boundary committee co-chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister Pitak In trawithyanunt. Bangkok recently acknowledged that Rangoon is entitled under international law to reclaim the land because of the 1994 flooding. "But they should have done so by 'closing', not 'dredging', the river channel", he said.(BP) ******************************************************* THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS June 5, 1997 CHAIRMAN OF STATE LAW AND ORDER RESTORATION COUNCIL CREDENTIALS OF AMBASSADOR OF AUSTRALIA YANGON, 4 June - Ms Lyndall Alexandra Mclean, newly accredited Ambassador of Australia to the Union of Myanmar, presented her credentials to Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Senior General Than Shwe at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence at 10 am today. MINISTER FOR FORESTRY RECEIVES PRESIDENTS OF KINSHO- MATAICHI CORPOPORATION YANGON, 4 June - Member of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Minister for Forestry Lt-Gen Chit Swe received President Mr Toshio Kawachi of Kinsho-Mataichi Corporation of Japan at International Business Centre on Pyay Road at 4 pm today. SWE MYANMAR KARAOKE AND CLUB OF SAKHANTHA HOTEL OPENS YANGON, 4 June Minister for Hotels and Tourism Lt-Gen Kyaw Ba-attended the opening ceremony of the Swe Myanmar Karaoke and Club of Sakhantha Hotel at the Central Railway Station here this morning and delivered an address. MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT RECEIVES GM OF INTERNATIONAL OPERATION DEPARTMENT OF MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES LTD YANGON, 4 June - Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Thein Win received a delegation led by General Manager Mr Yukihiko Katayama of International Operation Department of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd at his office on Merchant Street at 5.15 pm today. MINISTER FOR NPED RECEIVES CHAIRMAN OF JAPAN- MYANMAR ECONOMIC COMMITTEE (KEIDANREN) YANGON, 4 June-Minister for National Planning and Economic Development Brig-Gen Abel received Chairman Mr Iwao Toriumi and party of Japan-Myanmar Economic Committee (Keidanren) at his office. June 7, 1997 ENDEAVOURS BEING MADE TO FOSTER DISCIPLINE DEMOCRACY SYSTEM IN THE NATION YANGON, 6 June - Vice-Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander inChief (Army) General Maung Aye and Secretary 2 of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo yesterday met in Myeik (Township) members of Mon armed group (Myeik District) who had exchanged arms for peace with the Government. KOREAN COMPANY OFFICIALS CALL ON MINISTER FOR H &T YANGON, 6 June-President Mr Chong Chang Kyo of Young Nan Rent A Car Co Ltd of the Republic of Korea and party called on Member of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Minister for Hotels and Tourism Lt-Gen Kyaw Ba at his office this morning. June 8, 1997 YUZANA CENTRE, HEAD OFFICE AND DEPARTMENT STORE OPEN YANGON, 7 June-Yuzana Centre, Head Office and Department Store were opened at 130, Shwegondine Road, at the corner of new Yedashe Road in Bahan Township, this morning, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. The 10/12-storey Yuzana Centre, 217 feet long and 125 feet wide, includes a department store and offices of international standard and a hotel. It was built on 1.039 acres at a cost of K 400 million starting 1 October 1994 by Yuzana Construction Group in cooperation with DHSHD. WB TAUNGGYI BRANCH OPENS YANGON, 7 June-Asia Wealth Bank opened its branch in Taunggyi this morning. 46-ACRE MODERN HOUSING PROJECT TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY BAGO RIVER YANGON, 7 June- Delta Housing Co Ltd presented 21st Century Resort Housing Project to be jointly operated by Delta and the Human Settlement and Housing Development Department at Mya Yeik Nyo Royal Hotel yesterday evening. Managing Director U Zaw Win of Delta Housing Co Ltd, Director- General U Arnt Kyaw of HSHDD and Director Dr Tan Loke Mun of Archi Centre of Malaysia explained the project to those present and replied to questions. MONYWA GETS TV RETRANSMISSION STATION YANGON, 7 June - TV retransmission station (Monywa) of Myanmar Television and Radio Department of the Ministry of Information was inaugurated with the address of Chairman of Sagaing Division Law and Order Restoration Council Commander of North West Command Maj- Gen Hla Myint Swe at the station this morning. June 9, 1997 MINISTER, FOR LABOUR LEAVES FOR 85TH ILO CONF YANGON, 8 June Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Labour Maj-Gen Saw Lwin left here by air this morning for Geneva to attend the 85th International Labour Organization Conference there. 29,116 USDA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED IN MOHNYIN TOWNSHIP YANGON, 8 June-New office building of Mohnyin Township Union Solidarity and Development Association of Kachin State was inaugurated in Mohnyin Township and USDA membership applications of ten village-tracts of Mohnyin Township were collectively submitted at Nanma Village yesterday. U Aung Thaung accepted a total of 29,116 USDA membership applications in Mohnyin Township, Kachin State. June 12, 1997 MINISTER FOR ENERGY RECEIVES GM OF MARUBENI CORPORATION YANGON-11 June - Minister for Energy U Khin Maung Thein received General Manager Mr K Natori and party of Marubeni Corporation of Japan at his office on Pyay Road at 2 pm today. They discussed investment in energy sector, electric power distribution and cooperation. COOPERATION IN HELICOPTER SERVICES DISCUSSED YANGON, 11 June - Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Thein Win received Resident Manager Mr Dominique Savariau of Heli Union (Yangon Branch) at his office today. Talks were on launching of helicopter services jointly by Myamna Airways and HeliUnion. AMBASSADOR U AUNG GYI PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO PRESIDENT OF SRI LANKA YANGON, 12 June U Aung Gyi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Union of Myanmar to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, presented his Credentials to Her Excellency Mrs Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri- Lanka on 4 June 1997, in Colombo. UNDER-SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE PHILIPPINES CONCLUDES VISIT YANGON, 11 June Under-Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Philippines Mr Rodolfo C Severino, here at the invitation of Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyunt Swe, left by air this morning. The Under-Secretary was seen off at Yangon International Airport by U Nyunt Swe, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador of the Republic of Philippines Mrs Sonia C Brady and Embassy Staff. June 13, 1997 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC ASIA OFFICIALS CALL ON MIC CHAIRMAN YANGON, 12 June - Deputy Managing Director Mr Hidehiko Bando and party of Yokogawa Electric Asia Pte Ltd of Singapore called on Member of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Chairman of Myanmar Investment Commission Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin at his office this morning. MINISTER FOR FORESTRY RECEIVES VICE-PRESIDENT OF DAEWOO CORPORATION YANGON, 12 June Member of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Minister for Forestry Lt-Gen Chit Swe received Vice-President of Daewoo Corporation Mr Byung Ju Chang and party at his office this afternoon. SECRETARY-L RECEIVES SPECIAL ENVOY OF PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN YANGON, 12 June-Secretary-1 of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received Mr Hiroshi Hirabayashi, Special Envoy of Prime Minister of Japan, at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence this afternoon. MOU FOR CONSTRUCTION OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARD HOTEL TACHILEK SIGNED YANGON, 12 June - A ceremony to sign Memorandum of Understanding for construction of international standard hotel with 220 proposed rooms in Tachilek region was held at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism this afternoon. Present were Member of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Minister for Hotels and Tourism Lt-Gen Kyaw Ba, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Tin Aye, director general, managing director and departmental officials and officials of Golden Asia Inter Co Ltd. Director-General of the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism U Khin Maung Latt ,on behalf of the Quartermaster General's office of the Ministry of Defence, and Managing Director of Golden Asia Inter Co Ltd Mr Dhirah Taechalertpaisam signed the MoU. The Hotel project will jointly be undertaken by the Quartermaster-General's Office and Golden Asia Inter Co Ltd on the basis of mutual interest. According to the MoU, Golden Asia Inter Co Ltd of Thailand will undertake the project for international standard hotel with 220 rooms with cent per cent investment of US $ 18 million in Tachilek. ----------------------------------------------------- English : http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/ German: http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/gnlm/ ************************************************* ANNOUNCEMENT: BURMESE STUDENTS' REUNION June 17, 1997 From: moe@interport.net Union Night of 8888 Generation Youths and Students Sponsored By Democratic Burmese Students Organization - Midwest INVITATION To All !!! We , DBSO , warmly invite all Burmeses living in the United States to the "Reunion Night of 8888 Generation Youths and Students" Party sponsored by DBSO-Midwest. It will be held on the 4th of July 1997 in Fort Wayne. Please come and join the Reunion Party and share an enjoyable night with us.We'll send invitation letters of invitation of DBSO-USA's conference to all DBSO members individually. Sincerely, DBSO-MidWest Place L Shi Loh Hall 3127 Carroll Road Fort Wayne IN 46818 Time 4th July 1997 6 pm to 12 pm Information 219 492 2888 219 482 2096 219 471 1180 *********************************************