------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: July 20, 1997 Issue #776 HEADLINES: ========== SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET A- 0066(I/L) ASIAN AGE: TOP BURMESE OFFICIALS MEET MEMBERS OF NLD ALTSEAN: ASEAN CONDEMNED FOR BURMA'S ADMISSION ABSDF BOOK LAUNCH: ‘LETTERS TO A DICTATOR’ - EXTRACTS BKK POST: MONEY TO FUND TWO MAJOR ROAD PROJECTS THAILAND TIMES: TAK TO CONSTRUCT NEW EMBANKMENT THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS ANNOUNCEMENT: ABSDO AUSTRALIA CONVENTION BURMANET SUBJECT-MATTER RESOURCE LIST ----------------------------------------------------------------- SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET A- 0066(I/L) July 18, 1997 From: OKKAR66127@aol.com A- 0066(I/L) 18-7 - 97 There has been some rumours created by certain quarters saying that a special V.I.P cell is being prepared in the Insein prison for a very special person. The authority concerned gave an explanation that general renovation works are taking place in many prison institutions for better sanitary and living conditions of the prisoners. The relevant authorities also refuted the allegations as baseless and denied that no such special V.I.P cell is being prepared. ****************************************** ASIAN AGE: TOP BURMESE OFFICIALS MEET MEMBERS OF SUU KYI'S PARTY July 18,1997 Rangoon, July 17: Burmese strongman Lt. Gen Khin Nyunt met the chairman of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party on Thursday but the gathering did not signal the start of a political dialogue between the two, government and NLD officials said. The meeting between secretary one of the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council and NLD chairman Aung Shwe and two other senior members was the first between top military rulers and the Opposition since Ms Suu Kyi was released from six years of house arrest in July 1995. NLD officials said the meeting was to explain to the Slorc that the party and Ms Suu Kyi were not involved in terrorist activities and that they had not received foreign financial assistance from some Western countries as alleged by the junta last month. In June, Lt. Gen Khin Nyunt had accused the NLD of accepting $85,200 from two covert US agents earlier this year. He had also linked the NLD and exiled Opposition groups to recent bombings in Rangoon. The NLD has denied the charges. "Yes, They (NLD leader) went to talk and explain their opposition to the officials. But this was not a dialogue with the Slorc. Without Suu Kyi included any talks would not be a dialogue," said NLD's vice-chairman. "But we welcome talks. We would also welcome any dialogue with the SLORC if it is in the genuine spirit of reconciliation," the chairman said. It was not immediately clear why Ms Suu Kyi was absent from the meeting. A Slorc spokesman said the discussion were held in a cordial atmosphere and they centred on the current political and some other situation in the country. When asked if he would call this the start of a diolague between the two sides, the spokesman said: " I won't term it that way." The Slorc had detained and later released thousands of NLD members and curbed the party's political activities. An NLD statement issued after the meeting said that Lt. Gen Khin Nyunt had advised the NLD and Ms Suu Kyi not to create unnecessary unrest or disturbances and not to confront the Slorc or obstruct it activities. " Aung Shwe explained to Khin Nyunt that the NLD does not accept foreign assistance on principle. Aung Shwe also suggested to Khin Nyunt that it would be good for him to meet Suu Kyi," the statement said. A local political analyst welcomed the meeting between the two sides and said it was a positive development. "It shows that there may still be hope for dialogue. Slorc is ready to sit at the table with the NLD but not Suu Kyi," the analyst added. (Reuter) -------------------------------------------------- [excerpts from related article] VOA : BURMESE RPT 7/18/97 July 18, 1997 Here in Washington (Friday) State Department Spokesman Nicholas Burns was asked for the US reaction to the talks in Rangoon: Burns act: “We hope this marks the beginning of a long-awaited meaningful dialogue between the NLD and the military dictators in Rangoon. We hope that dialogue can be aimed at national reconciliation.” The State Department added (Friday) that any dialogue between the NLD and SLORC must include Aung San Suu Kyi. *********************************************** ALTSEAN: ASEAN CONDEMNED FOR BURMA'S ADMISSION July 18, 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: July 18, 1997 MEDIA RELEASE ASEAN CONDEMNED FOR BURMA’S ADMISSION KUALA LUMPUR: An alliance of Asean-based activists and political leaders today slammed the regional grouping for proceeding with the admission of Burma at the Ministerial Meeting scheduled to begin next week. Democratic Action Party (DAP) Secretary-General Mr Lim Kit Siang, Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) President Dr Syed Husin Ali, U Tin Maung Win of the National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB) and representatives of ALTSEAN-BURMA (Alternative Asean Network on Burma) from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand spoke at a press conference to launch the book, "From Consensus to Controversy - Asean’s Relationship with Burma’s Slorc". The joint statement by ALTSEAN-BURMA said: "We view with deep regret Asean’s disregard for the voice of its own peoples and the international community by accepting an illegitimate ‘government’ into it’s ranks. Burma’s State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) has far less political legitimacy than Cambodia’s Hun Sen. "As a matter of urgency, we respectfully urge Asean to seek SLORC compliance with its agreement to transfer power based upon the outcome of the 1990 elections, in which the National League for Democracy won overwhelmingly. "We reiterate our call for tripartite dialogue, between the military junta, the National League for Democracy, and ethnic nationalities. It is a matter of immense concern that Slorc has defied Asean requests for dialogue. We respectfully urge Asean to increase determined and co-ordinated efforts to ensure that their desire for dialogue is heeded by the Slorc. "We are concerned with the inconsistency shown in the application of Asean standards. If Asean is to be credible, it must be consistent in the application of standards for civilised behaviour … Asean should look at Burma as a nation of 48 million people who are suffering under a reign of terror at the hands of a regime that Asean supports. "We call for the end to the systematic murder, torture and imprisonment of innocent civilians and political activists by the SLORC regime," the joint statement emphasised. Malaysian Opposition leader Mr Lim Kit Siang said: "Asean should learn from the failure of the "constructive engagement" policy on Burma and craft a new pro-active approach to protect Asean’s international credibility by helping Burma embark on the road of democratic reforms and national reconciliation." PRM President Dr Syed Husin Ali said: "Now that Burma has joined Asean, progressive and freedom-loving people in this region have a greater and more difficult task to struggle for democracy and human rights not only in Burma, but also in all Asean states … now, more than ever, the duty of the people, political parties, people’s organisations and non-governmental organisations has grown in urgency." MORE U Tin Maung Win, representing the NCUB, an umbrella organisation of elected MPs, ethnic nationality groups and pro-democracy groups from Burma, described Asean’s appeasement approach to the Burmese junta as a sign of weakness: "Most people view Asean membership as Slorc’s licence to kill. Slorc will become more arrogant and increase the killing, rape, torture, drug production and widespread repression. The people of Burma won’t buy Asean’s excuses nor forgive this blow. It is deeply disappointing that Asean did not defer membership in order to facilitate a peaceful solution in Burma." Ms Puttannee Kangkun of the Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma said: "Constructive engagement did not help the refugees or migrant workers of Burma. In these past years, the number of recognised refugees have increased greatly to 140,000. Migrant workers who have been escaping extreme poverty and brutality in Burma now number about 700,000. Asean doesn’t seem to care about people, only about money." Mr Fan Yew Teng of Burma Solidarity Group Malaysia described the Cambodia crisis as Asean’s "bitter harvest". "Asean should have acted firmly when the Slorc refused to honour the 1990 elections which saw the National League for Democracy win by a landslide. Its inaction on this issue sent the message that coups and grabbing power by force was acceptable in this region. It is no surprise that the Cambodian coup happened." "From Consensus to Controversy" is a compilation of articles by political leaders, academics, journalists and activists from Burma and Asean member states. ENDS For more information, please call 016 322 6152 (++ 60 16 322 6152 if dialing from outside Malaysia) or 010 217 8011, or email ******************************************************* ABSDF BOOK LAUNCH: ‘LETTERS TO A DICTATOR’ - EXTRACTS July 15, 1997 From: Caroline Lurie A collection of 33 official letters from the National League for Democracy (NLD) to the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) to be published this month, reveals the range of brutal tactics used by the SLORC to suppress NLD members and Burma's elected government. For further information call 01 654 4984. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- EXTRACTS FROM 'LETTERS TO A DICTATOR' DIALOGUE Letter 1, page 15 6. Because the State Law and Order Restoration Council does not co-operate or communicate with political parties in Burma, the NLD is concerned about unity in the country and the fact that the SLORC and the democratic forces are travelling down separate paths. In every democratic country, governments and political parties co-operate for the benefit of their people and nation. Without such co-operation it would be very difficult for any achievements to be made. Therefore, the NLD would like to propose that an open dialogue be held for the benefit of the country, without preconditions or limitations on which groups can attend. Letter 2, page 18 6. The NLD has always welcomed any gesture from the SLORC towards a substantial dialogue based on our principles of 'openness and sincerity, and mutual respect', 'national reconciliation' and 'unity without animosity'. Letter 14, page 81 20. The important point is that the NLD has repeatedly written to the SLORC asking for a dialogue. The party has done this because it believes that the only way to solve the current problems, including those of the National Convention, is through a substantial dialogue. We strongly believe that there is no other way. PARLIAMENT AND ELECTIONS Letter 3, page 23 16. In the 97th press conference SLORC made it clear that it will carry out its duties in accordance with the laws, orders, and notifications that they have issued. We would therefore like to point out that the convening of the Hluttaw must be carried out at the earliest possible time to ensure the restoration of law and order. Letter 12, page 62 12. On 10 July 1991, the SLORC issued Order 4/91 which imposed seven new national directives regarding 'law and order' during elections [and] 20 new ethical standards which all candidates were required to follow. Under this retroactive law issued a year after the 1990 election, elected representatives of the NLD were forced to resign for actions they had allegedly committed a year earlier. ...on 19 May 1996 the authorities began to detain elected representatives of the NLD who had not transgressed any election laws or retrospective amendments. According to a partial list the NLD has compiled, a total of 238 representatives throughout the country have been arrested. CONSTITUTION Letter 10, page 54 (c) In the statement read by Colonel Kyaw Win, the SLORC stated that the NLD could only write a Constitution in the jungle. This is totally irresponsible and can be seen as an abrogation of the SLORC's objectives of the cohesion of the Union, national unity, and the perpetuation of State power. When the citizens of a country are told by their government to go underground and abandon the law, such comments are contrary to the unity of a nation. ATTACK ON DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S MOTORCADE Letter 22, pages 114-115 8. It is obvious that the attacks were premeditated and that the aim was to assassinate leaders of the NLD. The authorities encouraged this act of anarchism by deliberately ignoring the attacks which were carried out on unarmed NLD leaders who had no ulterior motives. 9. We deplore these acts in the strongest possible terms. We also urge you to form an independent commission, that has mutual consent and is comprised of respected members of our communities, to investigate these incidents and publicly announce their findings to the entire nation as soon as possible. We do this with the hope that these kinds of attacks will not happen again. Letter 27, page 127 9. Among the duties of the police is to investigate crimes and charge criminals in accordance with the law. They are also responsible for arresting suspects with sufficient proof of wrongdoing. We are surprised to have learned that the police, who have been able to investigate and solve petty crimes, have not been able to find those responsible for the potentially fatal attack which occurred on a busy street in broad daylight. The duty of the police is to find the real criminals. INTIMIDATION AND REPRESSION Letter 7, page 44 (i) If NLD members had decided to walk to the lake and free the fish, the authorities planned to disrupt the ceremony with Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) members armed with stones and batons.... Letter 15, page 85 9. (a) ...The authorities in Maubin told NLD members that the party was going to collapse because they were facing many hardships, and that they should quit the NLD now because people listed as party members were likely to be arrested once it was disbanded. The authorities not only forced NLD members to leave the party, but also made and distributed fake NLD resignation forms. Letter 20, page 99 1. The authorities have carried out repeated raids of homes belonging to members of the National League for Democracy, which is a legal political party, under the pretext of questioning people and inspecting premises. These raids have occurred late at night and in the early hours of the morning. Letter 21, page 105 II(e) The SLORC claims to be working for the advancement of a multi-party democracy, and consequently it is imperative that democratic rights are allowed to exist. The posting of signs is an essential function of a political party and preventing a party from exercising such a right is akin to severing its lifeline. We would like to remind you that the forced dismantling of signs is contradictory to the SLORC's objective of the 'advancement of multi-party democracy'. page 107 IV(c) The authorities also forced U Aung Kyaung to resign as a Member of Parliament and as a member of the NLD by threatening to dismiss his daughter from her job. Once again, this was an immoral act. Letter 28, pages 131-132 '[The Minister for Rail Transportation] U Win Sein tried to win the trust of the people by encouraging them to turn against Aung San Suu Kyi, telling them lies about her personal life... ...U Win Sein then shouted to the villagers three times, "That's why we must get rid of her! We must exterminate her!" He asked the audience if they knew the meaning of the phrase "exterminate her", and he said it meant to kill her.' Letter 29, page 134 'While two of the robbers were pulling my things back, the leader of the group was threatening me....I shouted at them saying, "Who are you people? Are you terrorising me, robbing me like this in public? Are you [the SLORC's] hitmen?"...Then the leader pulled out a jagged eight-inch knife. I said to him, "Come on, strike me. Weapons don't show courage. Come on, go ahead." ' Letter 31, page 141 (c) On 30 December 1996 the Danupyhu Court ordered Ko Than Htut, leader of the Danuphyu NLD Youth Organising Committee, not to travel out of the township for one year, under the 1961 Habitual Criminal Restriction Act. The NLD believes the court decision is offensive and inconsistent with existing laws. The authorities are treating NLD members as if they were thugs, repeat offenders or vagrants waiting for a chance to commit crimes. We also consider the decision immoral as it degrades the dignity of the person concerned. Letter 33, page 148 [Appendix A] At the base, the Commander of Infantry 56, Lieutenant Colonel Ko Ko, met each of the NLD members individually and forced them to resign from the party. He used various threats to intimidate the members into resigning. In one of the threats he said, "You must resign from the NLD, otherwise your life may be in danger."... ...He told them, "You are our prey. We are making noises because we don't want to waste our time hiding in wait. All we've got to do is shoot. You'll only get one chance to decide, not two. You must realise that the army is ruling the country. You must do what you are told to do. We are determined to weed out any obstacles." page 152-153 [Appendix C] 'The NLD has learned that members have been taken to be used as porters for military operations...[and that NLD member] U Saw Htun Nwe, a Karen national, died of fatigue as a result of his age...Until now the NLD has not received any information regarding the rest of the officials [and] does not know if its members are wounded or healthy, dead or alive. The NLD considers this act of forced conscription as absolutely barbaric.' Page 162-163 [Appendix I] 'The Pantanaw Township LORC summoned officials from all departments of the town and asked them if Dr. Tin Min Htut had violated any law. When [they] could not find fault with him the town's police chief ordered...his men to find anything that could incriminate the NLD representative... ...when the police searched Dr. Tin Min Htut's house they found two Singaporean coins in a small toy cup [his] son was playing with. Dr Tin Min Htut was then arrested for illegal possession of a foreign currency.' ********************************************** BKK POST: MONEY TO FUND TWO MAJOR ROAD PROJECTS July 18, 1997 Somporn Thapanachai New links will cut travel times within the region Thailand will provide a 430-million-baht low-interest loan to Burma for the Myawaddy-Moulmein and Kengtung-Kunming road projects with funds from the Indochina Fund. Dr Pornchai Rujiprapa from the Office of National Economics and Social Development Board said officials from the Finance Ministry, which administers the fund, would meet Burmese officials next week to discuss details of the projects. It is likely that 200 million baht will be provided for the 170-kilometre Myawaddy-Moulmein road under a 10-year free repayment period and a 20-year payback period with interest of 2.5-3%. The remaining 230 million baht will be allocated for the Kengtung-Kunming road under the same conditions. The conditions for the two projects is similar to loans provided by the Overseas Economics Cooperation Fund. The government tries to maintain the Indochina Fund at 500 million baht annually. It provides loans to projects which are not attractive to other fund providers but benefit Thailand and its neighbours. The Thai government's move is in line with a request from the Thai private sectors in Tak and the Burmese, according to a report by the International Consultancy Network Co (ICN). The consultant has released its study of industrial cooperation between Thailand and Burma on the Mae Sot-Myawaddy-Moulmein-Rangoon route. It suggested that Thailand should act as a land bridge for the east-west development corridor from Danang in Vietnam to Burma's deep-sea port. Panithi Tungphati, vice-chairman of Tak Chamber of Commerce said the new route would assist in reducing time and transportation cost of goods from Maesod to Rangoon which currently take three days to reach the capital and costs about 2.80 baht per kilogramme. The transportation of goods from Mae Sot to Rangoon takes less time than from other provinces in Thailand which can take up to about 12 days by land or more than 21 days by ship. The construction of the new road will boost border trade from the present level of 280 million baht a year, or 5,000 tons a month. Sompop Amatayakul, Deputy Industry Minister, said Thailand needed an action plan to use Burma as a western gateway for land transport to Pakistan, India and China. He said both Thailand and Burma had skills they could bring to the plan. Thailand has specialisation in production, management, trades and infrastructure development while Burma has a large labour pool, raw materials and a good location to develop a deep sea port. If the infrastructure in Burma was developed, Thailand would be able to export goods produced in the north using Burma's deep sea port and reduce its dependence on Singapore, Mr Sompop said. He said bilateral trade relations between Thailand and Burma would improve after the opening of bridge crossing over Moei River on August 15. Dr Varin Harnvongchao, chairman of ICN, said 20 projects in Thailand needing development would cost 21,429.14 million baht and 13 projects in Burma would require 26,626 million baht. The projects range from the establishment of special economic zone at the Thai-Burmese border, electricity generation projects in Thailand and construction of a deep sea port at Kalegauk Island. Members of Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Thai Industries in Tak also supported the establishment of special economic zones in Myawadi and Maesod to attract investments and create jobs for Thai and Burmese workers. The economic zone would assist Thailand in controlling illegal immigration. But Dr Pornchai said the proposed special economic zone was still vague and the government would wait for a study from Asian Development Bank before making a decision. The bank study will also identify industries which have potential for investment along the border. ************************************************************ THAILAND TIMES: TAK TO CONSTRUCT NEW EMBANKMENT July 18, 1997 By Assawin Pinitwong TAK: Thailand is to construct an embankment to change the course of the Moei River in a bid to reconnect a plot of Thai land separated by changes in the river's flow caused by flash flooding three years ago. The Interior Ministry's Public Works Department is reportedly preparing to build a wall along the Moei River at Mae Khon Khen village in Mae Sot in Tak province in an attempt to change the river' s flow which has eroded Thai soil resulting in 340 rai of land owned by 17 Thai residents being cut off from the mainland. An official from the department said the project which will cost about 25 million baht is aimed at restoring the river's old course before the 1994 and 1 995 floods. He said the province tried two similar projects in the past which cost about four million baht, but they failed to put an end to the problem. A security source in Tak said that under a bilateral agreement on border issues, the islet which has not yet become part of Burma is still considered to be a possession of Thailand, and Thai authorities have already placed a flag there to denote sovereignty. He said this case was completely different to the controversial case in which Burma dredged the Moei River near Ban Rim Moei to change the river's course, because that change in the river's flow occurred in a natural way. ******************************************* THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS [excerpts only] July 14, 1997 CHINESE NATIONAL DRUG ABUSE CONTROL COMMISSION DELEGATION VISITS THANLYIN. KYAUKTAN REGIONS YANGON, 13 July Vice-Chairman of National Drug Abuse Control Commission of the People’s Republic of China Deputy Minister of Public Security Mr Bai Jingfu and party, currently here at the invitation of Chairman of the central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Mya Thin, accompanied by Joint-Secretary of CCDAC Police Col Ngwe Soe Tun, visited the Shwedagon Pagoda this morning. OVER 35,000 USDA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED YANGON, 13 July-Altogether 15,953 membership applications of the Union Solidarity and Development Association were collectively submitted in Hsataung Station in Sagaing Township on 11 July. Present were Chairman of Sagaing Division Law and Order Restoration Council Commander of North West Command Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, officials and local residents totalling 15,000. The commander accepted the membership applications of 15 village tracts. Four USDA members submitted 21,519 membership applications of Myoma NO 3 Ward and 32 Village tracts in Wetlet Township to the commander and Secretary of Division USDA Daw Moe Moe Thein at the compound of Basic Education High School in Wetlet the same day. A similar ceremony was held at Mingala Kandaw Hall in Pyinmana on 9 July. Brig-Gen Maung Bo of Pyinmana Station spoke on the occasion. Village organizers submitted 9,906 USDA membership applications of wards and village tracts to Secretary of Township USDA U Khin Maung Htay and organizers U Myint Swe and U Aung Khin. TWO JOURNALISTS LEAVE FOR BANGKOK YANGON, 13 X July-Editor U Saw Myint of The New Light of Myanmar and senior reporter U Night Aug of Myna Lain Daily left here today for Bangkok to attend journalism workshop sponsored by Reuters Foundation. July 15, 1997 MINISTER FOR INDUSTRY-1 RECEIVES AMBASSADOR OF BRUNEI DARUSSALEM YANGON, 14 July Member of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Minister for Industry-1 Lt-Gen Sein Aung received Ambassador of Brunei Darussalem Mr Pangiran Dato Peduka Haji Asmaleebin Pangiran Ahmad at his office this morning. MINISTER FOR FORESTRY RECEIVES AMBASSADOR OF AUSTRALIA YANGON 14 July Member of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Minister for Forestry Lt-Gen Chit Swe received Ambassador of Australia Ms Lyndall Alexandra McLean at the Intentional Business Centre this afternoon. 150,000 ACRES CULTIVABLE DUE RECLAMATION UNDER NYAUNGDON KYUN RECLAMATION PROJECT YANGON, 14 July Mezali Sluice Gate in Nyaungdon Township, Ayeyawady Division, was commissioned this morning with a speech by Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Lt-Gen Myint Aung. It was built by Construction-1 of the Irrigation Department near Mezali Village in Nyaungdon Township. Also present on the occasion were Ministers, Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Law and Order Restoration Council Commander of South-West Command MajGen Nyunt Tin, senior military officers, Diplomats led by Sri Lankan Ambassador Mr K B Fernando, officials of the World Health Organization, the Director-General of the Protocol Department and officials, those of the departments under the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, the chairmen and members of Division, District and Township Law and Order Restoration Councils in Ayeyawady Division, the department heads, executives of the, Union Solidarity and Development Association, teachers and students, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigade members, peasants of 44 village-tracts in Nyaungdon Township and local people altogether numbering over 8,000. CONTRACT SIGNED FOR BUILDING TWO 2,000-TON SUGAR MILLS YANGON, 14 July Myanma Sugarcane Enterprise of the Ministry for Agriculture and Irrigation and the National Heavy Industries Corporation of the People’s Republic of China today signed a contract for building two 2,000-ton sugar mills, each valued at $ 20.8 million. The contract is for building the sixth and seventh sugar mills of the 10 to be built for boosting export of sugar. PT EXSPAN SUMATERA OIL CO OF INDONESIA TO EXPLORE OIL, GAS IN MAGWAY DIVISION YANGON, 14 July - PT Exspan Sumatera Oil Company of Indonesia has agreed today to explore and produce oil and natural gas at three onshore blocks in Magway Division. The Indonesian company signed a production sharing contract with Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise to explore and produce oil and gas in block Nos RSF-5 in Ohndwe area, EP-1 in Kyaukkyi Mindon area and MOGE-3 in Padaukpin-Monnatkon area, in the Division. Minister for Energy U Khin Maung Thein delivered an address. Managing Director of MOGE U Kyaw Nyein and President of PT Exspan Sumaters Company Mr John S Karamoy also spoke. Officials then signed the contract. The minister presented the permit to the company. The ceremony at the Ministry of Energy was also attended by Secretary of Myanmar Investment Commission Minister at the Office of Deputy Prime Minister Brig-Gen Maung Maung, Minister at the Office of Deputy Prime Minister U Khin Maung Yin, Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs U Soe Tha, Deputy Minister for Energy U Tin Tun, Ambassador of Indonesia Maj-Gen (Police) A Poerwanto Lenggono President of MEDC Energy Corporation of Indonesian Mr Arifin Panigoro, Adviser at the Pertamina Oil Company of Indonesia Mr Zudhi Pane, departmental personnel and other officials. MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS RECEIVES CHINESE DELEGATION YANGON, 14 July Member of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Chairman of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Mya Thin received Vice-Chairman of National Drug Abuse Control Commission of the People’s Republic of China Deputy Minister of Public Security Mr Bai Jingfu and party at his office this morning. MINISTER FOR NPED RECEIVES AMBASSADOR OF BRUNEI DARUSSALEM YANGON, 14 July -Minister for National Planning and Economic Development Brig-Gen Abel received Ambassador of Brunei Darussalem Mr Pangiran Dato Peduka Haji Asmalee bin Pangiran Ahmad at his office this morning. DIRECTOR GENERAL LEAVES TO ATTEND 6TH MEETING OF ASEAN NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANIZATIONS YANGON, 14 July - Director-General of Directorate of Hotels and Tourism U Khin Maung Latt oft the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism left here by air this morning for Singapore to attend the 6th Meeting of ASEAN National Tourism Organizations to be held from 15 to 18 July in Singapore at the invitation of Singapore Tourism Services Promotion Board. _______________________________________ English : http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/ German: http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/gnlm/ *************************************************** ANNOUNCEMENT: ABSDO AUSTRALIA CONVENTION July 18, 1997 From: Nyi Nyi Soe All Burma Students' Democratic Organization (Australia) The fourth convention of the All Burma Students' Democratic Organization (Australia) was successfully convened at Sydney on the 13th and 14 th July, 1997 and was attended by students' representatives from Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Adelaide. The new central executive committe elected by the conference are: President: Ko Toe Toe Vice President: Ko Khun Kyaw General Secretary Ko Ye Myint Tun Joint Secretary(1) Ko Mg Mg Naing Joint Secretary(2) Ko Min Sein International Co-ordinator Ko Wynn Aung Ko Par Pa(Nyi Nyi Soe) News & Information Dept Ko Thadoe Aung Ko Myo Aye Finance Dept Ko Thit Naing Daw Nweni Tun Organizing Dept Ko Aung Thwin Oo(Ant Tin) Ko Khin Mg Aye(Ba Toe) ************************************************ BURMANET SUBJECT-MATTER RESOURCE LIST BurmaNet regularly receives enquiries on a number of different topics related to Burma. If you have questions on any of the following subjects, please direct email to the following volunteer coordinators, who will either answer your question or try to put you in contact with someone who can: Campus activism: zni@students.wisc.edu Boycott campaigns: ai268@freenet.carleton.ca Buddhism: Buddhist Relief Mission: brelief@gol.com Chin history/culture: [volunteer temporarily away] Fonts: tom@cs.colgate.edu High School Activism: [volunteer needed] History of Burma: zni@students.wisc.edu International Affairs: Julien Moe: moe@interport.net Kachin history/culture: 74750.1267@compuserve.com Karen history/culture: Karen Historical Society: 102113.2571@Compuserve.com Mon history/culture: [volunteer needed] Naga history/culture: Wungram Shishak: z954001@oats.farm.niu.edu Burma-India border Aung San Myint: aungsan@giasd101.vsnl.net.in Pali literature: "Palmleaf": c/o burmanet@igc.apc.org Pipeline Campaign freeburma@irn.org Resettlement info: refugee_help@mail.serve.com Rakhaing (Arakan) history/culture Kyaw Tha Hla:thisthis@nyc.pipeline.com Rohingya culture volunteer needed Shan history/culture: Sao Hpa Han: burma@ix.netcom.com Shareholder activism: simon_billenness@mail.cybercom.net Total - France Dawn Star: cd@utopia.EUnet.fr Tourism campaigns: bagp@gn.apc.org "Attn. S.Sutcliffe" volunteering: refugee_help@mail.serve.com World Wide Web: FreeBurma@POBox.com Geographical Contacts: Massachusetts simon_billenness@mail.cybercom.net [Feel free to suggest more areas of coverage] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FREE BURMA WEB PAGES: http://FreeBurma.org This single page serves only as an easy to remember URL and departure point to resources promoting the establishment of democracy in Burma. Please write to FreeBurma@pobox.com to add a site or for further information." - Glen, system administrator FREE BURMA COALITION: to get involved in the Free Burma Coalition, send a message to: zni@students.wisc.edu or visit their homepage, accessible through: http:// FreeBurma.org There is also an e-mail list-server especially for Free Burma activists BURMANET SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: The BurmaNet News is an electronic newspaper covering Burma. Articles from newspapers, magazines, newsletters, the wire services and the Internet as well as original material are published. It is produced with the support of the Burma Information Group (B.I.G) and the Research Department of the ABSDF. We are also grateful to many other friends around the world who send us articles to post. The BurmaNet News is e-mailed directly to subscribers and is also distributed via the soc.culture.burma and seasia-l mailing lists. For a free subscription to the BurmaNet News: send a message to: majordomo@igc.apc.org a. For the BurmaNet News only: in the message, type: subscribe burmanews-l b. For the BurmaNet News and 4-5 other messages a day: in the message, type: subscribe burmanet-l (NOTE: all lower case letters, last letter is a lower case "L", not the numeral one). Letters to the editor, comments or contributions of articles should be sent to the editor at: strider@igc.apc.org ***************************************************