------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: July 24, 1997 Issue #780 HEADLINES: ========== BKK POST: REPATRIATION PUT OFF AMID TENSIONS VOA: BURMA REFUGEES AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: MYANMAR: NEW ASEAN PROBLEM VOA: AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AND ASEAN TACDB MEDIA RELEASE: OVER 400 BURMESE HUNGER STRIKE AFP: US, EUROPE FAIL TO RESOLVE DISAGREEMENT US CONGRESSMEN: LETTER TO USTR ON MASS. BURMA LAW THE NATION: PTT READY FOR LAWSUITS BKK POST: ASEAN PICKS UP DELAY BILL BKK POST: BURMESE HELD ON HEROIN CHARGE THAILAND TIMES: ASEAN FACES JOB OF TAKING IN BURMA ALTSEAN MEDIA STATEMENT: BURMA ADMISSION TO ASEAN SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET A.0070(I) HINDUSTAN TIMES: NSCN FACTIONS MUST ATTEND MEET FBC-AUSTRALIA: AUGUST 8TH COMMEMORATION RALLY ----------------------------------------------------------------- BKK POST: REPATRIATION PUT OFF AMID TENSIONS July 23, 1997 [abridged] Chittagong, AFP Bangladesh authorities yesterday delayed the planned repatriation of Burmese Muslim refugees from one of two transit camps amid fresh tensions, local officials said. The repatriation of 200 refugees from the troubled Noapara camp was postponed after most of them refused to draw their weekly rations on Monday and some of the listed refugees went into hiding. ******************************************************* VOA: BURMA REFUGEES July 22, 1997 Lisa Schlein Intro: the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, or UNHCR, reports Bangladesh has forcibly repatriated 212 Muslim refugees to Burma. This is the second forced repatriation since Sunday, when more than 180 refugees were deported. More from reporter Lisa Schlein in Geneva. Text: the UN refugee agency calls the conduct of the Bangladesh authorities a disgrace. U-n-h-c-r spokeswoman Pam O'toole says the agency initially thought Sunday's forced repatriation of Burmese refugees may have been ordered by some local officials ... ///O'toole act/// But this obviously appears to be something that has been ordered by fairly senior authorities in Bangladesh. So we have to do everything we can now to make sure it doesn't happen again. Apparently, there is a plan now for another repatriation in two days time. ///end act/// The UN refugee agency plans to urgently take the matter up with the Bangladeshi foreign ministry. And, if the forcible repatriations continue, the agency says it will go directly to Bangladesh's prime minister to stop, what it calls, "this unacceptable practice." There are some 21,000 Muslim refugees in two camps. Burma has agreed to accept 7,500 of them. Ms. O'toole says before Tuesday's repatriation took place, police asked volunteers to come forward from the refugee population. She says, however, that only two families volunteered. ///second O'toole act/// Nevertheless, this morning (Tuesday morning) a group including many women and children and sick people were herded onto buses and taken to the border. They were put into a holding center overnight, they'd been taken out of their huts yesterday. The huts were dismantled behind them and the plastic sheeting was taken away. ///end act/// //end opt// Ms. O'toole describes the refugees as distraught. She says many Muslim men have fled into the hills to avoid being forced back to Burma. While these deportations are taking place, Ms. O'toole says more refugees are arriving in Bangladesh. She says the refugees have told UN staff members they had been evicted from their land and pushed into forced labor by the Burmese authorities. ********************************************** AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: MYANMAR: A NEW HUMAN RIGHTS PROBLEM FOR ASEAN July 22, 1997 From: Myo Aye <082903@bud.cc.swin.edu.au> AI INDEX: ASA 16/22/97 As ASEAN members admit Myanmar into the regional grouping, they must accept responsibility for the protection of human rights there, Amnesty International said today. In a report issued on the eve of the ASEAN ceremony, the organization details atrocities committed by the Burmese army against ethnic minority groups in eastern Myanmar -- including killings and beatings of forcibly seized porters and using death threats to relocate entire villages. "The Burmese army regularly kills and tortures civilians and the SLORC government coerces women, children and the elderly to build roads, railways and dams in slavery-like conditions," Amnesty International said. "The high level of human rights violations and political instability in Myanmar is having a major regional impact on its new ASEAN partners -- for example, more than 200,000 refugees have fled into neighbouring countries." "ASEAN claims that constructive engagement with SLORC will lead to improvements in human rights in Myanmar. With Myanmar's admission to ASEAN, that approach is now going to be put to the test." Amnesty International called on ASEAN governments to put the human rights situation in Myanmar on the agenda at all regional meetings and to ask for regular reports from the SLORC, to pressure the government to allow entry to the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Myanmar, and to ensure that any ASEAN investment in Myanmar does not lead to further human rights violations -- in particular investments in projects using forced labour. In extensive interviews with refugees living along the Thai-Burmese border, Amnesty International has documented testimonies of the tatmadaw (Burmese army) killing and torturing men it has kidnapped and forced to work as porters if they do not perform their duties 'satisfactorily', and the shooting of villagers who are alleged to have supported armed opposition groups. Cases include Pa Nya Paw, who was arrested in April 1997 by the army. During interrogation, he was allegedly punched, kicked until his limbs were broken, smothered with plastic and had boiling water poured over him until he died from his injuries. Hla Du was seized from his village with nine other men and forced to carry ammunition and food supplies. According to a fellow villager, he was beaten, had his eyes gouged out, limbs broken and then was stabbed to death. As part of its counter-insurgency campaign against armed ethnic minority opposition groups in the Kayin (Karen), Kayah (Karenni) and Shan States in eastern Myanmar, the tatmadaw has forcibly relocated entire villages in ethnic minority areas using death threats and harassment. Since 1984, the army has forcibly relocated tens of thousands -- the most recent relocations resulted in at least 16,000 Shan refugees fleeing to Thailand in April and May 1997. In March 1997, the army arrived in a Gyadown township village in Kayin State, and told the 300 Muslim families: "you have 50 minutes to leave this town. You have no place in this country. If you don't leave within 50 minutes we will shoot you". The report also documents the widespread use of forced labour throughout the country. Hundreds of thousands of Burmese citizens have been forced to work on projects including building roads, railways, dams and military structures for up to 12 hours a day. Most of the refugees in neighbouring countries interviewed by Amnesty International had been forced to work by the army. Amnesty International has published information about 16 work sites around the country including Ye-Thawair Railway in Tanintharyi Division, the forced building of a Buddhist Temple in Gout Kyi township, Kayin State, prison work camps in the Mon State and the forced building of army barracks in Shadaw and Ywa Thit relocations sites in Kayah State. (Amnesty International, 22 July 1997) ************************************************ VOA: AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AND ASEAN July 21, 1997 [abridged] Khin Maung Htay Amnesty spokeswoman Donna Guest says ASEAN, which is meeting in Malaysia this week, cannot ignore the report's findings and should act upon them. // Guest act // Repression of ethnic minorities is continuing. We are seeing massive forced relocations throughout eastern Myanmar (Burma). We are seeing massive forced labor, forced portering, killings by the army. We are also hearing stories -- very recent stories of people fleeing into Bangladesh because of forced labor. It behooves ASEAN to take a look at this and take some positive steps. We're trying to encourage the Thais at every opportunity to stick with their policy of allowing safe refuge. Just because fighting has stopped does not mean that human rights violations go away. It's just not that simple. They continue and I think that Thailand really needs to acknowledge this and to allow the united nations on the border, and seek help from other nations. Certainly, it's a big burden for Thailand. We understand that. I think other people there are ready to help them. I'd like to comment on forced relocation because this is happening in the Shan state and the Karenni state -- even as we speak. It was happening last year. It's still happening now. These people are not being re-located on their own safety or because of imperative military reasons. They're being moved around to break up alleged links with insurgents, and they are being treated very, very badly. We don't oppose its (Burma's) admission. Now that you've taken the decision, what you (ASEAN) need to do is to bring up human rights in every meeting and to really be strong with the SLORC about this. Pressure them to allow the UN special rapporteur into the country and to ensure that ASEAN investment does not lead to any kind of forced labor. // end act // [excerpt from related article] ------------------------------------------------------------ ABC: AMNESTY CALLS FOR AUSTRALIA PRESSURE ON ASEAN July 23, 1997 The human rights group, Amnesty International has asked Australia to pressure Association of South east Asian Nations into taking an active role in protecting human rights in Burma. Amnesty Australia's David Begg, says ASEAN members must accept responsibility for the protection of human rights - and wants Australia to ensure that responsibility is acted on. *************************************** TACDB MEDIA RELEASE: OVER 400 BURMESE ON HUNGER STRIKE July 23, 1997 From: Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma 400 Burmese Students on Hunger Strike at the Burmese Students Area, Ban Maneeloi, Ratchburi Province, Thailand. Over 400 Burmese students will commence a hunger strike inside the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) - run "Safe Area for Burmese Students" in Ratchburi Province today. The action is held in parallel with ASEAN's welcoming ceremony for Burma's ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) in Kuala Lumpur, amid similar protest actions throughout the region. The action comes in response to ASEAN's blatant disregard of repeated calls for policy review concerning relations with Burma's military regime. The students, in a statement read inside the compound this morning, stated that "ASEAN is fully aware of the current social, economic and political situation inside Burma", and that "...by recognizing SLORC as a new member of the ASEAN grouping, regional government heads have done a grave injustice to the Burmese people". The students demand that ASEAN abandon its constructive engagement policy immediately and show due respect for the Burmese people's will and the wishes of ASEAN citizens by taken more time to consider the issues raised by Burma's union with the regional grouping. They further demand that ASEAN recognize the 1990 general election results in Burma by engaging with the democratic opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). The protesters have dubbed themselves the 'Leading Action Committee'. The group is comprised of representatives of the All Burma Basic Education Students Union (ABBESU), All Burma Students League (ABSL), Burmese Students Association (BSA), New Blood Comrades Union of Burma (NBCUB), Overseas Karen Refugee Students Organization (OKRSO) and the Overseas Mon National Students Organization (OMNSO). Police vans have been stationed outside of the safe area compound for over two days as local authorities anticipated protest action to coincide with the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur. The MOI have placed restrictions on the activities on Burmese students since the establishment of the Safe Area in 1993. Regulations for the safe area forbid students in engaging in anything deemed a 'political activity'. Today's protest is a great show of courage in the face of such adversity. The hunger strike will continue indefinitely. For further information please contact TACDB in Bangkok on (+662) 216 4463. email: --------------------------------------- Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma (TACDB), 328 Phayathai Road, Rajthevee, Bangkok 10400, THAILAND. tel/fax: (+662) 216 4463 email: carol@ksc.th.com ****************************************************** AFP: US, EUROPE FAIL TO RESOLVE DISAGREEMENT OVER STATE BURMA LAW July 22, 1997 WASHINGTON, July 22 (AFP) - US officials failed at talks in Geneva on Tuesday to resolve a dispute with Japan and Europe over a state sanctions law aimed at military-ruled Burma, the US Trade Representative's (USTR) office said. "They didn't reach a settlement today," one trade official here said after European, Japanese, and American negotiators ended day-long talks in Geneva on the controversial "Massachusetts Burma law." The provision bars state-owned entities from buying goods from companies doing business in Burma. That has led to the black-listing of roughly 150 foreign firms, including major players such as Honda and Siemens. The European Union (EU) has until mid-September to ask the World Trade Organization to convene formally a dispute-settlement panel on the 1996 law, USTR spokesman Jay Ziegler said. "We do not believe this is a constructive course," Ziegler said. "Japan and the EU are on record expressing concern about the situation in Burma, and we believe this action is fundamentally inconsistent with that position." "We hope we can resolve our differences here," he added. The talks followed months of barbed exchanges and a protracted US effort to assuage European ire over the federal Helms-Burton sanctions law, which permits civil lawsuits here against foreign firms operating in Cuba. President Bill Clinton has so far prevented that particular Helms-Burton provision from taking effect. Informing USTR Charlene Barshefsky on June 20 that Europe would take the Burma law to the WTO, EU Trade Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan said that "it would not appear that progress has been made" on the matter. Further, he added, "there are no indications that Massachusetts is considering amending this law, in spite of the efforts you have been making." Barshefsky said at the time that she was "surprised and very disappointed" at the European move, given the shared US and European interest in improving the human rights situation in Burma. EU officials say the law violates a WTO provision committing most states to open all government contracts to international competition. The Clinton administration has yet to take a clear and public position that would set a precedent for similar state and municipal laws that have sprung up around the country, mainly targeting Burma and Indonesia. Opposing those laws could make the White House look hostile to human rights or beholden to foreign or corporate interests. Not fighting it at all would enrage US trading partners and the powerful business lobby. Members of Congress from Massachusetts are meanwhile urging the USTR to put up a strong defense of the Burma sanctions law. "It is not the place of the European Union and Japan to dictate how the Massachusetts legislature and state government should spend its own taxpayers' money," nine legislators wrote to Barshefsky on Tuesday. ************************************** US CONGRESSMEN: LETTER TO USTR ON MASSACHUSETTS BURMA LAW July 22, 1997 From: Simon Billenness July 22, 1997 Charlene Barshefsky U.S. Trade Representative Winder Building, Room 201 600 17th Street, NW Washington, DC 20508 Dear Ambassador Barshefsky, As Members of the U.S. Congress from the State of Massachusetts, we are deeply disturbed by the decision by the European Union and Japan to formally challenge the Massachusetts Burma selective purchasing law at the World Trade Organization (WTO). We are wholly supportive of fostering good relations between Europe, Japan and the United States. However, we strongly believe that it is highly inappropriate for the European Union and Japan to involve themselves in the internal affairs of Massachusetts. It is not the place of the European Union and Japan to dictate how the Massachusetts legislature and state government should spend its own taxpayers' money. The people of Massachusetts have long vested the power to levy taxes and spend public money with our elected representatives, not European and Japanese bureaucrats. We also note that the Massachusetts Burma selective purchasing law is strongly supported by the legitimate leader of the Burmese democracy movement. Aung San Suu Kyi. The leader of the party that won the 1990 Burmese elections, Aung San Suu Kyi remarked in a recent interview that selective purchasing laws are very effective means of restoring democracy in Burma. She also specifically praised the Massachusetts Burma law. We fear that, by placing European and Japanese corporate interests first, the European Union and Japan risk undermining their principled stand against the Burmese military junta. In March, the European Commission revoked Burma's tariff preferences because of the military junta's pervasive use of forced labor. The new British government recently cut its support for trade promotion in Burma and has "not ruled out the possibility of further measures, including economic sanctions" against the illegal military junta. Japan has called for dialogue between the military junta and the democracy movement. Opinion in Europe in particular towards business in Burma is best typified by the recent and unanimous resolution on Burma passed by the European Parliament. The resolution called on the European Union to enact economic sanctions on Burma. Moreover, in its resolution, the European Parliament specifically urged the European Commission not to take action against the Massachusetts Burma law under the WTO dispute settlement procedures. We ask the U.S. Trade Representative to weigh the support for the Massachusetts Burma law from the peoples of Europe, Japan, Massachusetts and, most importantly, Burma itself. We strongly urge the U.S. Trade Representative to oppose the unfair and inappropriate efforts by the European Union and Japan to force Massachusetts to amend its Burma law. Rep. Barney Frank Rep. Edward Markey Rep. Joseph Kennedy Rep. Matin Meehan Rep. John Tierney Rep. Richard Neal Rep. Joseph Moakley Rep. John Olver Rep. James McGovern ------------------------------- ************************************************ THE NATION: PTT READY FOR LAWSUITS July 23, 1997 THE Petroleum Authority of Thailand said yesterday it is ready for environmental groups to take it to court over its Yadana gas pipeline project as it has done nothing illegal. The Law Society of Thailand announced on Friday it will assist lawsuits against the PTT for violating environmental laws and regulations in constructing its gas pipeline. Songkiat Tharnsamrit, director of PIT's public relations department, denied the project violated laws. "If they want to sue, we're ready. If we had done anything wrong, the government would not have allowed us to continue the project this far," he said. "The Cabinet approved PIT's use of the conservation area and the Office of Environmental Policy and Planning [OEPP] considered the projects environmental impact assessment report." "The report was conducted by a consultancy company registered with the OEPP. If the company wasn't qualified, how could it register," he asked. Four environmental groups - the Wildlife Fund of Thailand, the Green World Foundation, the Seub Nakasathien Foundation and the Friends of Elephants Foundation - sought the society's help. Songkiat said the groups have not taken a firm enough stand against the project. "Initially they were interested in the impact it would have on forest areas, later on wildlife and then human rights. We have tried to explain the situation to them, but it's useless," he said. ******************************************************* BKK POST: ASEAN PICKS UP DELAY BILL July 23, 1997 Bhanravee Tansubhapol Kuala Lumpur Each Asean member will have to pay $50,000 (1.5 million baht) as the price for delaying Cambodia's entry. Laos and Burma, which join today, will join the other seven members in chipping in to cover the contribution Cambodia should have made to the science fund. The nine are to share the group's $6.325 million operating budget equally. Until two weeks ago, a contribution from Cambodia was factored in by the accountants. Now, it has been split into nine bills for the other members. Now the seven old members - Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam - will each pay $736,243. Burma and Laos will each pay $585,648 because Asean is two months into its fiscal year. In addition, the new members must pay $1 million each to the Asean Fund and $50,000 to the Asean Science Fund as up-front membership dues. **************************************** BKK POST: BURMESE HELD ON HEROIN CHARGE July 23, 1997 A Burmese man was arrested yesterday in Khun Yuam, Mae Hong Son on charges of having more than half a million baht's worth of heroin in his possession. Local police arrested "San" and seized 1.1 kilos of heroin from him in a id at a bus terminal in Tambon Khun Yuam, Khun Yuam. Police said the suspect admitted that he had delivered the drug to Bangkok twice. He bought from a dealer in Ban Tao, across the border from Tambon Mok Cham Pae, on Monday and was to deliver it to a customer in Bangkok, according to police. ******************************************************* THAILAND TIMES: ASEAN FACES JOB OF TAKING IN BURMA, LAOS July 23, 1997 [abridged] AFP KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN faces a Herculean task of accepting Burma and Laos into its rapid program of tearing down tariffs as the two economies officially join the group last Wednesday, analysts and officials say. "It will be a very difficult process because we are talking of economies which may not even have tariff schedules in place yet. I think we have many milestones ahead," Indonesian economist Mari Pangestu told AFP. Pangestu said a key problem for ASEAN was to make Burma and Laos less reliant on tariffs as income. "So you cannot ask them to liberalize without any alternative source of funding to cushion them initially," she said. ASEAN is banking on unconditional Japanese aid to help Burma and Laos, rather than the World Bank or International Monetary Fund, which could impose stringent macro-economic policies that may not be workable, officials say. One argument raised against an enlarged ASEAN is that it is going to create a two-tier economic system of richer and poorer members. But Thailand's Commerce Minister Narongchai Akrasanee said efforts would be made to assist the; new members in coping with tariff reduction programs. These cover areas such as improving databases and data collection systems on trade, investment, industry and human resources development. Narongchai said he expects Burma and Laos to chalk up impressive economic growth rates after they join ASEAN. "If the so-called Asian miracle of the '80s produced dragons and tigers, the ASEAN miracle of the first century of the next millennium expects to see at least Myanmar (Burma) and Laos emerging as tiger cubs." he said *********************************************** ALTSEAN MEDIA STATEMENT: BURMA ADMISSION TO ASEAN 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 MEDIA STATEMENT BURMA'S ADMITTANCE A DAY OF SHAME FOR ASEAN Today's welcoming ceremony for the admission of Burma's State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc) as a full member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is a mark of shame to peoples of the region who value human rights, justice, democracy and peace. This act of recognizing the infamous regime as the government of Burma is a direct, oppressive interference in Burma's affairs. To deny the people's vote in 1990 that granted 82% of parliamentary seats to the National League for Democracy (NLD) and instead recognize the brutal junta, which won only 5% of the seats, amounts to an obscenity. Asean's refusal to dialogue with the government-elect of Burma is further proof of its poor commitment to the peace, justice, rule of law and social progress espoused in the Bangkok Declaration of 1967, which established Asean. Asean's choice to welcome Slorc and therefore squander its leverage to ensure genuine reform in Burma is a sell-out of our 48 million neighbors in Burma. The proposed Asean Vision 2020 which is supposedly aimed at achieving peace, freedom, prosperity and neutrality is therefore more of a hallucination. We hold this silent protest in solidarity with the peoples of Burma and other parts of Southeast Asia who continue to be killed, jailed, tortured, harassed and deprived of education, health services and food. We stand in solidarity with them because we, too, are subject to oppression. In the past few days, several activists in Kuala Lumpur have been summoned by the authorities and warned not to participate in any protest actions. We have been sternly reminded that a gathering of 5 or more people constitute an "illegal assembly". This law and other unjust laws prohibiting peaceful and legitimate activities are similar to those being enforced in Burma and other parts of Southeast Asia. Therefore, we call on the member states of Asean to confirm that they do value peace, democracy, justice and human rights as expressed in a range of Asean declarations. We urge them to prove respect for their citizens by ensuring positive reforms to develop a civil society. We urge them to prove that the content and spirit of these declarations go beyond mere lip service. Further, we strongly urge member states of Asean and its dialogue partners to prioritize on its agenda, the deteriorating situation in Burma during the next few days. We strongly urge the Asean Regional Forum to formulate and implement with determination and firmness, a coordinated and comprehensive strategy to ensure a prompt cessation of human rights violations and a restoration of democracy in Burma. Signed on July 23, 1997 in Kuala Lumpur: Debbie Stothard Fan Yew Teng ALTSEAN-BURMA Burma Solidarity Group Malaysia ********************************************** SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET A.0070(I) July 21, 1997 From: OKKAR66127@AOL.COM (1) Commencing of Drilling Operation at Test Well Minister for Energy, U Khin Maung Thein arrived on the morning of 22 July at the Stena Clyde, a drilling platform, at Offshore Oil and Natural Gas Exploration Block No. M - 12 of Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise. The Minister then pressed the button to start spud-in at Aunglaba Test Well No (1). Drilling will be down to 14,300 ft. In the afternoon, the minister attended the cornerstone laying ceremony of natural gas power station at Kanbauk Region and installation of Kanbauk-Dawei 66KV powerline. Utilizing natural gas from Yadana natural gas pipeline, the Kanbauk power station will supply power to Dawei, Kanbauk and its environs and Ye and Myeik regions. (2) International Neem Network The Workshop of the International Neem Network will be held on 28 July 1997 to 30 July at the International Business Centre in Yangon. The International Neem Network was established in 1993. With the coordination of the Forest Resource Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the main objective to improve the genetic resource of neem through seed exchange and establishment of international provenance trials, 22 developed countries in Asia, Africa, Central America and two developed countries which are now participating in the network, including the Union of Myanmar. Myanmar has become involved in the Neem Network activities soon after the signing of Letter of Agreement between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Forest Department of Myanmar in late 1993-94. Since then, the Forest Department of Myanmar had exchanged neem seeds with the cooperating organizations in other countries and internationally coordinated provenance trials of neem have been established in July 1996. Neem (tamar) is an outstanding tree for the local people providing fuelwood, timber, oils, tannin, pesticides, organic manures, medicinal products, food and fodder. This workshop provides a very significant contribution to promote the research and development of neem as well as to strengthen future cooperation among the participating countries. Finally, there will be a field trip to Aunglan Township, to study international neem provenance trial. OFFICE CALL IN YANGON (1) Chairman of the Myanmar Investment Commission VADM. Maung Maung Khin received Deputy Chairman Mr. Edwin F. Stoyle of Pacrim Energy NL of Australia and party at the Chairman's office on the 22nd. July. (2) Deputy Prime Minister Lt. Gen. Tin Tun received an economic delegation led by Chairman of Jasmine International Public Co Ltd of Thailand Dr. Adisai Bodharamik and Managing Director of Bangkok Broadcasting & T.V Co Ltd Mr. Chatchur Karnasuta at the Deputy Prime Minister's office on 22nd. July. (3) Secretary of Myanmar Investment Commission Brig.Gen. Maung Maung received Mr. Seiji Yoshimoto, Director of Overseas Activities Department of Japan External Trade Organization (JETROS), and party at the Secretary's office on 22nd July. (4) Minister for Transport Lt.Gen. Thein Win received Managing Director Mr. Marc Ngan Bom of Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd and party at the Minister's office on 22nd. July. (5) Minister for Hotel and Tourism Lt.Gen. Kyaw Ba received Managing Director Mr. Toshi Yoneda of Hopeson Myanmar Co Ltd at the Minister's office on the 22nd. of July. ------------------------------------ Excerpt from The Statement by H.E U Ohn Gyaw, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar to the admission of Myanmar to ASEAN in Malaysia on the 23rd. of July 1997 "ASEAN's enormous success as a mechanism for the progress, peace and prosperity of the nations of Southeast Asia is evident for all to witness and experience. Over the past thirty years, the Association has overcome many critical challenges and has weathered the winds of change time and again. From the original 5, ASEAN has welcomed first Brunei, then Vietnam, and now Laos and Myanmar into the fold, thus forging the chain that links more than 500 million people of the region together. The combined strength of our resources and the ASEAN spirit of constructive cooperation will certainly ensure a deeper enhancement of ASEAN's role and prestige while bringing about development for all. We in Myanmar are very much aware that a harmonious approach to any kind of development will ensure a sustained success, which is very important for our future generations. It is for them that we are now laying down the foundations of a peaceful, prosperous, modern, developed state with harmony among the national races. As I have stated at various fora, progress and stability start at the national level. With our own house in order we will be able to contribute towards order for the community we live in. To this end, Myanmar will not be found lacking in any of her responsibilities and obligations, at either the national or the regional level. ***************************** HINDUSTAN TIMES: NSCN FACTIONS MUST ATTEND MEET: JAMIR July 18, 1997 Nagaland Chief Minister S.C. Jamir hopes to bring peace to the people of Nagaland and this could be done if the two warring factions of banned militant outfit National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) come together for talks in the conference on peace beginning from Monday in Atlanta, USA. However, he made it clear that political negotiation with the insurgent groups will not be on the agenda of the conference sponsored by the baptist Peace Fellowship of North America. "The conference will only deal with peace and reconciliation to create a congenial atmosphere in the State to being an peace process," the Chief Minister said in a Press conference here today. The Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America has invited the Chief Minister, two Naga MPs, leaders of NSCN and representatives of Naga Ho Ho, an apex body of tribals in the State, to the conference. The Chief Minister has got a green signal from the Prime Minister to attend the conference. He said that faction of NSCN (Khaplang) had already responded to the Ho Ho 's request to start negotiations with the Government. Jemir maintains that the peace conference will definitely help bring the two warring factions of the militant organizations together to end the decade old insurgency. The Naga underground guerillas have been fighting for the independence of Nagaland for more than four decades. Jamir laments that till the Chinese aggression, the Government could hardly recognize the problems of the State. Of late, he admits, a big chunk of Myanmar jungle has become a safe haven for training of ultras. But the Myanmar Government does not help them at all, he adds. He says that with the changing political scenario in Bangladesh, a group of insurgents had shifted their bases elsewhere from the country. However, with the help of the neighbouring countries, the Government will be able to contain insurgency, he added. Chief Minister said that Nagaland cannot be a liability for the nation. "Rather the State will be an asset in view of its natural resources in abundance," he said. He has rejected the allegations that his Government is hand-in- glove with the militants. "Efforts are on to deal with the ultras firmly, who indulge in criminal activities," he stressed. He insists that development of the State, which remained alienated for decades, can wean away the divisive elements. He lauded the Central Government's initiative to announce the recent economic package for the North-East. Answering a query, Chief Minister said that 125 years ago American Baptist missionaries brought a message of pace and love to the countries' remote and isolated State of Nagaland. "We were waiting for 2000 years but nobody came to preach the way these people had done," he adds. ******************************************** FBC-AUSTRALIA: AUGUST 8TH COMMEMORATION RALLY July 22, 1997 From: Amanda Zappia Free Burma Coalition, Australia WHEN SPIDERS UNITE THEY CAN TIE DOWN A LION ____________________________________________________________ RALLY Join the Burmese community in Australia to commemorate the massacres in Burma which occurred on the 8th August 1988. Place: SLORC Embassy, 22 Arkana Street, Yaralumla ACT Time: 12.30 PM Date: 8th August 1997 The AGM of the Australia Burma Council will be held the following day. If you would like more information please phone. (06) 297 7734 (02) 9264 7694 or (02) 9620 7007. _________________________________________________________ WORKING FOR THE: NATIONAL COALITION GOVERNMENT OF THE UNION OF BURMA FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS, BURMA AUSTRALIA BURMA COUNCIL BURMA OFFICE, SYDNEY: MINN AUNG MYINT (burma@sydney.net) Labor Council Build. Suite 6, 8th Floor, 377-383 Sussex St. Sydney 2000 Fax: (612) 9264 7693 Tel: (612) 9264 7694 AUSTRALIAN REP OFFICE, CANBERRA: AMANDA ZAPPIA (azappia@spirit.com.au) PO Box 2024 Queanbeyan NSW 2620 Fax: (616) 297 7773 Tel: (616) 297 7734 ***************************************