------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: September 3, 1997 Issue #812 HEADLINES: ========== THE STAR: PM: ASEAN MAY SHUN SUMMIT KNLP: RESPONSE TO INFORMATION SHEET A- 0063(I/L) KUKI STUDENTS’ DEMOCRATIC FRONT: ARREST OF ACTIVIST BKK POST: 15-ROUTE ASEAN NETWORK PROPOSED BKK POST: ARMY TO LOOK FOR ITS COPTER IN BURMA THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS IN BRIEF BKK POST: WE COULD BE THE WORLD LEADERS FBC ACTION ALERT: SLORC TORTURED NLD LEADERS BAY AREA ROUNDTABLE ANNOUNCEMENT: BURMA FILM FEST -------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE STAR: PM: ASEAN MAY SHUN SUMMIT September 2, 1997 By Lau Su Lin KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia would treat any move to discriminate against Myanmar as a discrimination against the whole of Asean, Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday. He was commenting on British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook's statement in a meeting of business leaders in Singapore earlier yesterday that Europe's recent decision to deny visas to senior Myanmar officials made their inclusion at the Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) in London in April "impossible." "They have no right to do so," he said, and added that other Asean countries might stay away from the summit. Cook condemned the Myanmar government for profiting from the drugs trade and said it would not be admitted to a summit of European and Asian nations next year. Asem is a forum linking the 15 members of the European Union with Japan, China, South Korea and Asean. Asean admitted Myanmar to its ranks this year, despite heavy Western criticism of Yangon's record on human rights and its flourishing drugs trade. ***************************************** KNLP: RESPONSE TO INFORMATION SHEET A- 0063(I/L) September 2, 1997 From: mingla@cm-sun.cm.ksc.co.th It was learnt that " Statements and Comments from various national groups which have returned back into the legal fold." dated on ( 17-7-97 ) by Okkar on the net. On August 8, 1997, the Kayan New Land Party (KNLP)released the statement on the above mentioned issue. According to this statement, "the KNLP has never stated its opinion upon the news briefing of Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt, secretary (1) of the SLORC, held in Rangoon on June 27, 1997. It was not true as the expression of KNLP's view and comment concerning with the 27-6-97 news briefing of Lt.Gen. Khin Nyunt in the release of Okkar " , it was learnt. ------------------------------------- [relevant excerpt] From: OKKAR66127@aol.com Informarion Sheet A- 0063(I/L) 17-7 - 97 Statements and Comments from various national groups which have returned back into the legal fold. Kayan New Land Party ( Kayah State Special Region-3 ) Daw Su Kyi most probably has received far more financial assistance from the western countries than what is being exposed now. She is acting according to the instructions from the West. We do not accept the western interference. The Kayin National Union (KNU) and Kayinni National Progressive Party (KNPP) are under the influence of the western countries and CIA. These (2) groups are also given support from the West." ************************************** KUKI STUDENTS’ DEMOCRATIC FRONT: ARREST OF ACTIVIST September 2, 1997 From: Zaw Zaw Statement of the Kuki Students' Democratic Front (Burma) concerning groundless arrest of Mr. Paul, of Kuki nationality and a democracy activist, by SLORC. Mr. Paul, of Kuki nationality and a democracy activist from the Moulnoi village of Homlin township, Saggaing division of Burma was arrested by military intelligence in Rangoon on 2nd October 1996. Mr. Paul left Homlin for Rangoon in mid September 1996 to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to discuss the present political situation of Burma, attitude of NLD party on ethnic nationalities affairs and the future role of Kuki nationality in Federal Union of Burma. He was arrested by the MI persons on the way to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's residence when he was trying to cross the road blockage by security forces on the way to her residence. During the period of interrogation he repeatedly faced brutal torture by MI persons and he was forced to confess to being a representative of outlaw Kuki underground organization. After that he was sentenced to eight years imprisonment by a military tribunal at Rangoon and now he is kept in the notorious Insein jail in Rangoon. The authorities in the jail do not allow him to meet with his relatives and friends. He does not receive regular, adequate and proper food. He is continuously being tortured physically and mentally by authorities of the jail. Although he is suffering from serious illness he has no chance to achieve medical care even at the jail hospital. We, the KSDF (Burma), personally know Mr. Paul as an active and sincere Kuki youth who has no contact and activity with any anti-SLORC organization in exile. He personally tried to meet and discuss with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi based on his personal political outlook. There are a lot of such political prisoners in several jails of Burma. We the KSDF (Burma) strongly condemn the SLORC for arresting his own people who have political consciousness and tried to meet and discuss with democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. SLORC’s manner clearly shows that they do not accept Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as a national leader and they consider her an outlaw person even though they dare not arrest her. The SLORC is attempting to crush all persons those who are politically conscious and anti-SLORC minded by using Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as bait. We strongly believe that similar happenings will occur with increasing frequency in the future and no political problems can be solved unless the SLORC refuses the dialogue with its opposition. We are worried about the condition of Mr. Paul and we would like to appeal to all international communities, human rights organizations and all NGOs to try with great effort to achieve the release of Mr. Paul who is now in Insein jail of Burma. The Kuki Students' Democracy Front (Burma) has recognized and recorded Mr. Paul as a brave active youth and his goodwill towards Kuki people. Kuki Students' Democratic Front (Burma) Date, 02.09.97 *************************************************** BKK POST: 15-ROUTE ASEAN NETWORK PROPOSED September 2, 1997 Amornrat Mahitirook Thailand will propose a 15-route Asean highway network at the fourth meeting of Asean transport ministers in the Philippines on Friday. A Transport and Communications Ministry source said the network would link capitals and major economic locations, such as deep-sea ports and industrial estates in Asean nations. Island nations such as the Philippines, Indonesia and Brunei, would not be left out they would have improved water transport links. The proposed routes are: **Tamoo town in Myawaddy, Burma, via Mae Sot and Aranyaprathet in Thailand, to Poipet and Phnom Penh, in Cambodia, and on to Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, and Haiphong in Vietnam; **Tachilek, Burma, Mae Sai, Bangkok and Sadao, in Thailand, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Singapore, Jakarta, Surabaya and Denpasar, Indonesia: **Bor Ten and Luang Nam Tha, Laos, to Chiang Khong and Chiang Rai, in Thailand (to serve China); **Luang Nam Tha and Vientiane, in Laos, Nong Khai and Bangkok in Thailand **Hanoi and Dien Bien Phu, in Vietnam, Muang Sai and Pak Bang in Laos, Huay Kon, Thailand; **Vientiane and Savannakhet, in Laos, Phnom Penh and Sihanouk Ville, in Cambodia; **Vinh, Vietnam, Laksao and Ban Lao, in Laos, Nakhon Phanom and Udon Thani in Thailand **Tak, Khon Kaen and Mukdaharn in Thailand, Savannakhet, Laos, Dong Ha, Vietnam; **Savannakhet, Laos, Mukdaharn and Laem Chabang in Thailand; **Tha Torn and Tavoy in Burma, Bang Saphan, Thailand; **Tavoy, Burma, Laem Chabang and Trat in Thailand, Koh Kong, Cambodia, Ho Chi Minh and Danang in Vietnam; **Hat Yai and Sungai Kolok in Thailand, Kotabaru, Kelantan and Segamad in Malaysia; **Kotabaru to Sungai Pattani in Malaysia; **Banda Aceh to Bakahuni in Indonesia; **and Laoag to Manila to Zamboanga in the Philippines. Thailand wants the routes to have two lanes and be surfaced with asphalt concrete or cement concrete. Deputy Transport and Communications Minister Direk Charoenpol will represent Thailand at the meeting. If the ministers approve the proposal a priority list will be drawn up, said the source. ************************************************************ BKK POST: ARMY TO LOOK FOR ITS COPTER IN BURMA September 2, 1997 The army will mount an air search for its missing helicopter in Burma soon, according to the army chief. Gen Chettha Thanajaro said he had asked Burma's commander of the Southeast Region, Maj-Gen Khet Sein, to allow Thai army helicopters to enter Burma and search for a helicopter which went missing while flying over the border of Mae Sot and Phop Phra districts of Tak last week. He said he could make the request because of his close ties with Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, first secretary of Burma's State Law and Order Restoration Council. ********************************************** THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS IN BRIEF [excerpts only] From: OKKAR66127@AOL.COM August 27, 1997: DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF DEFENCE INTELLIGENCE STAFF DIVISION OF MALAYSIAN ARMED FORCES ARRIVES ON GOODWILL VISIT TO MYANMAR YANGON, 26 Aug-At the invitation of Chief of the Office of Strategic Studies and Director of Defence Services Intelligence Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Director-General of the Defence Intelligence Staff Division, Malaysian Armed Forces Lt-General Dato Maulub Bin Maamin and Datin Doreena and party arrived here by air this morning on a goodwill visit to Myanmar. August 28, 1997: AMBASSADOR OF BANGLADESH CALLS ON MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND POPULATION YANGON, 27 Aug-Ambassador of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Mr Jahangir Saadat called on Minister for Immigration and Population Lt- Gen Maung Hla at his office this evening. August 29, 1997: GENERAL MAUNG AYE TOURS YADANA OFFSHORE NATURAL GAS PROJECT YANGON, 28 Aug Vice-Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander- in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye toured Yadana Offshore Natural Gas Project today. He was accompanied by Secretary-2 of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo, member of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin, Minister for Energy U Khin Maung Thein, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Tin Aye, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe and General Manager Mr H-Madeo of TOTAL Myanmar Exploration and Production Co. TATMADAW DELEGATION LEAVES FOR INDONESIA YANGON, 28 Aug - High-ranking Myanma Tatmadaw delegation led by Minister at the Office of the Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Lt-Gen Min Thein left here by air this afternoon for Indonesia to participate in goodwill golf meet of ASEAN Countries' Defence Ministers and to study factories of Sampoerna Co at the invitation of Minister of Defence Gen Edi Sudradjat of Indonesia and Sampoerna Co. September 1, 1997: MYANMAR DELEGATION LEAVES FOR COLOMBIA YANGON, 31 Aug-A five-member Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Culture U Aung San left here this evening to attend the first meeting of NonAligned Ministers of Culture to be held in Medellin, Colombia. The delegation includes Deputy Director-General of Department of Cultural Institute U Kyaw Win, Deputy Director of Political Department U Paw Lwin Sein, Associate Professor of University of Culture U Ye Htut and PSO to the Minister U Thaung Win. To view with photos: English : http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/ German: http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/gnlm/ French: http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/fnlm/ Myanmar: http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/mnlm/ (Pls use Win-myanmar Fonts ) ********************************************** BKK POST: WE COULD BE THE WORLD LEADERS September 2, 1997 [BurmaNet Note - The speaker is a former Prime Minister of Thailand who has recently played an important role in the drafting of a new constitution for Thailand. The discussion of ‘constitutionalism’ can be considered relevant to the current situation in Burma, and the author also presents an alternative to worn-out claims that authoritarianism is most in line with ‘Asian cultural values’.] Address/Constitutionalism In Asia Former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun was the recipient yesterday in Manila of the Ramos Magsaysay award for his pro- democracy efforts. The following is his edited address. The link between constitutionalism and democracy in Asia is reminiscent of the interaction between law and order. Law and order comprise a neatly matched term commonly associated with authoritarianism, or autocracy. Much of Asia today treads a thin line between authoritarianism and populism. The former represents the subjugation of the people to political masters who, only in the most fortunate and rare of circumstances, provide enlightened leadership. The latter spells political chaos, and typically results in metamorphosis into the most vicious sorts of authoritarianism. If we are to avoid straying from the thin line between authoritarianism and populism that is, if we are to have law and order without its accompanying evil of a home-grown, indigenous colonialism consisting of a master class ruling a subject population- we must pursue constitutionalism. But the mere existence of a constitution does not represent constitutionalism. That is because a constitution to be respected as viable and democratic, must fulfil certain necessary conditions. • A constitutional government must, first and foremost, be "representative". The people must decide who is to lead them, and those in office must conduct themselves as representatives of the people. • Second, enhancement of "individual nights or liberties" should be a cornerstone • Third, a system of "checks and balances" is required of any constitutional government to deter against abuse of power. Constitutional governments, therefore, typically divide power between the legislature, executive and judiciary as well as between the centre and the state provincial or local levels of authority. • Fourth, "simplicity" of form and of mod us operandi is required so that the system can be understood by the people and not only by the professional politicians, and in order that it avoid the pitfalls and loopholes that are the bedfellows of verbosity. • A fifth requirement is "procedural stability", meaning that certain fundamental procedures of government must not be subject to frequent or arbitrary intervention. Citizens must know the basic rules according to which politics are conducted. Stable procedures of government provide citizens with adequate knowledge of the probable consequences of their actions. • Sixth is "accountability". Measures must be in place to ensure that those who govern consistently account for, and can be held accountable for their actions on behalf of the governed. • The final essential element of a constitutional government is "transparency", as only through full openness and disclosure about the affairs of government will the people be able to make informed judgments and decisions on the future course of governance. Written constitutions provide a firm standard by which the legitimacy of government action may be judged. In constitutional democracies, accountability can be enforced through a great variety of regular procedures, including elections, systems of promotion and discipline, fiscal accounting, recall, and referendum. The accountability of government officials to the citizenry makes possible the citizens' responsibility for the acts of government. The most obvious example of this process of responsibility and accountability is the electoral process. In constitutional systems, as we have noted, powers of legislation and enforcement are divided among executive, legislative and judicial components, and the ability of any one person to continue to hold power is subject to periodic recourse through the electorate. Constitutional democracy is, as its name indicates, based on (1) a constitution, or basic law, and (2) the people's active participation. The essence of a constitution is that it formalises a set of fundamental norms governing the political community and determining the relations between the ruler and the people and the interaction among the centres of power. The "political party" is the other chief instrument of constitutional democracy. It is the agency through which the electorate is involved in both the exercise and transfer of power. The party in a constitutional democracy is at once a means of representing a mass electorate in the exercise of power and also a device for the peaceful replacement of one set of power holders with another. The road to democracy is long and arduous, especially for countries which have long suffered economic disadvantage. It is claimed by some in Asia that democracy is economically inefficient and that "enlightened authoritarianism" is a more effective means of generating economic growth. Some go so far as to say that this is a basic Asian value, to be cherished and nurtured. This to some degree may be true. I would, however, like to express a word of caution here. While a strong hand may guide a nation out of hardship, even the most compassionate authoritarian leader is likely to be vulnerable to the corrupting influence of Power. Asia today faces a moral dilemma. Constitutionalism is being questioned by powerful voices, often acting in what they believe are the best collective interests of the people. It has been implied that constitutionalism is antithetical to Asian values, that is an alien intrusion carrying the seeds of chaos. Yet it is my contention that constitutionalism is the key to law and order in the best sense of that term. Strong and effective leadership in this region must be based on the will of the people and must respect individual freedom. Only through constitutionalism can this region hope to sustain its moral integrity, and thus its vigorous progress, into the coming millennium. I should like to conclude this address with a modest proposal. I propose that each Asian state establish an independent body, representative of the people, to review its national constitution. That review would assess the extent to which the constitution fulfils the seven requirements of constitutionalism that I have outlined here. I would propose means whereby constitutional reforms might be pursued to ensure the full and free participation of all the people in the life of the nation. By that means Asia would come to lead the world in our continuing struggle for law, and for order. ***************************************************** FBC ACTION ALERT: SLORC TORTURED NLD LEADERS IN PRISON From: "Aung Min" We have just received the news from inside that SLORC tortured U Win Hlaing (age 34) MP-elect from Tak Kone Township and U Myint Soe (age 36) Central Committee Member, National League for Democracy (Youth) in prison a few weeks ago. At the time of his arrest in 1990, U Win Hlaing's wife was pregnant and she had a baby during his imprisonment which continues to this day. Both of U Win Hlaing parents passed away after his arrest in 1990. As a result of the recent torture, they are suffering from severe injuries and broken arms. They were both arrested in 1990 and later sentenced to 10 years with hard labor in 1990 because of their role in creating the Gandhi Hall declaration. According to the Gandhi Hall Declaration, the election-winning NLD pledged to call the parliament if SLORC did not. Suggested Action: 1) Alert your local media and congressional representatives of this outrageous violation in prison. Congressional switchboard: 202-224-3121 Congressional e-mail addresses can be found at http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/1007/ Whatever you send to those individuals, please send copies to your city (news) desk to generate local editorials and op-ed pieces, which will in turn generate more grassroots pressure on your congressional delegates. 2) Media Contacts BURMESE LANGUAGE NEWS PROGRAM: 1) Democratic Voice of Burma(DVB) Oslo, Norway. Tel: 47-22-200021; Tel/fax:47-22-362525 Email: dvb@sn.no 2) Voice of America Newsroom tel. 202-619-3700; fax. 202-619-2400 Burmese Program tel. 202-619-1427; fax. 619-1840 Burmese Service General Number 202-619-1417 Chief: Daniel A. Robinson 202-619-1416 Sr Editor: U Khin Maung Win 202-619-1418 Central Newsroom East Asia Desk: 619-0711 Email: burmese_service@eap.VOA.GOV The news broadcast into Burma is a source of strength that has helped sustain the hope of 45 million prisoners held hostage at gun point by SLORC. 3) British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Tel. 011-44-171-257-2788; Fax. 171-836-9466 4). Radio Free Asia Tel: (202)-530- 4986; Fax: (202)-530-7798 Email: kaungk@rfa.org soek@rfa.org theinm@rfa.org thinns@rfa.org 3) Governmental Contacts: 1) email, call, or write to the SLORC embassies in your country of residence (please see the list of contact fax numbers for SLORC Embassies below), in order to show that you are concerned about the well-being of U Win Hlaing, U Myint Soe and other members of the democracy movement, For Washington, DC SLORC Embassy, write to: Ambassdor U Tin Win Embassy of Burma 2300 S. Street, NW Washington, DC 20008 Tel: (202)-332-9044 Fax: (202) 332-9046 Email: OKKAR66127@aol.com Here are the rest of the fax #'s for your campaign: Embassy - Bangkok 66(2)236-6898 Embassy - Beijing 86(1)532-1344 Embassy - Belgrade 38(11)235-1802 Embassy - Bonn 49(228)219-316 Embassy - Cairo 202(43)16793 Embassy - Canberra 61(6)273-4357 Embassy - Colombo 95(1)580-460 Embassy - Dhaka 88(2)883-740 Embassy - Geneva 41(22)738-4882 Embassy - Hanoi 84(2)52404 Embassy - Hong Kong 852 827-6597 Embassy - Islamabad 92(51)820123 Embassy - Jakarta 62(21)327-204 Embassy - Katmandu 977(1)523-402 Embassy - Kuala Lumpur 60(3)248-0049 Embassy - London 44(171)629-4169 Embassy - Manila 63(2)817-5895 Embassy - Moscow 956-3186? Embassy - New Delhi 91(11)687-7942 Permanent Mission - New York 1(212)737-2421 Embassy - Ottawa 1(613)232-6435 Embassy - Paris 33(1)4256-4941 Embassy - Rome 39(6)841-3167 Embassy - Seoul 82(2)796-5570 Embassy - Singapore 65 235-5963 Embassy - Tel Aviv 972(3)549-3866 Embassy - Tokyo 81(3)3447-7394 Embassy - Washington DC 1(202)332-9046 peace, love, and hope, FBC Digest Group ************************************************* BAY AREA ROUNDTABLE ANNOUNCEMENT: BURMA FILM FEST September 2, 1997 From: Dan Orzech The first-ever Free Burma Film Festival will be held at UCLA, October -4, in parallel with the Free Burma Coalition Conference. All spiders, UCLA students and citizens of LA are cordially invited. The festival will feature two world premieres, and appearances by film makers and special guests. A reception after the last film Saturday night, Oct. 4th, is open to all conference attendees and Film Festival guests. The Festival is sponsored by Melnitz Movies, the Bay Area Burma Roundtable, and the Burma Foundation, and takes place at UCLA's James Bridges theater and Dickson Auditorium. For more information, visit: http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/3108/film.html. In addition, we may try to show several of these videos during lunch on Saturday and/or Sunday, possibly in Ackerman Grand Ballroom. We need one or two volunteers for each night of the film festival, to help with the door, answer questions, etc. If you are interested in helping for an evening, please let me know! Dan Orzech Bay Area Burma Roundtable orzech@well.com Here is the schedule (subject to change): Wednesday, Oct. 1: * "AUNG SAN SUU KYI" - Produced by The National Democratic Institute of Washington, D.C., and featuring interviews of Mrs. Suu Kyi and rare footage from inside Burma, this video was shown at the award ceremony. (10 min.) * "BEYOND RANGOON" - directed by John Boorman. With Patricia Arquette, Spalding Gray. released in August 1995. Produced by Castle Rock Entertainment. This film first brought the plight of the Burmese people to the attention of the world, and shocked many people in the West into action to support democracy in Burma. * Special guests! Thursday, Oct. 2: Heroin Night * "THE KINGS OF OPIUM" - Part of the award-winning trilogy "THE HEROIN WARS," (Gold Special Jury Award, Worldfest), the "KINGS OF OPIUM" record the recent history of the epic struggle for control of the lucrative heroin trade in Burma. It reveals how events in this far-off country have resulted in a flood of cheap heroin reaching the shores of the United States in the last few years. Probably the best documentary ever made about the history and politics of heroin. Produced by Adrian Cowell with WGBH/Frontline. (52 min.) NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE! * "SINGAPORE SLING" reveals startling evidence of business connections between the Singapore government, with its squeaky-clean business image and its mandatory death penalty for drug smuggling, and companies controlled by Burmese drug lords. The program, by award winning Australian journalist Mike Carey, caused an international furor when it ran on Australian television last year and has never been shown in the United States. Friday, Oct. 3 * "INSIDE BURMA: LAND OF FEAR" - Award winning filmmakers John Pilger and David Munro provide a unique and chilling look at Burma today, where a brutal military regime has forced more than a million people from their homes, and subjected untold thousands to torture, slavery or death. Winner of several awards, including the International Award for Risk Journalism. (52 min.) WORLD PREMIERE! * "THAILAND'S DILEMMA: BORDERING ON TYRANNY" - a new film about the plight of Burmese refugees in Thailand. Saturday, Oct. 4 * "AUNG SAN SUU KYI" (repeat) (10 min.) * "NO CHILDHOOD AT ALL" - Produced by IMAGES ASIA WORLD PREMIERE! * "BURMA DIARY" - by Jeanne Hallacy * Special guest and gala reception! ***************************************************