------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: September 12, 1997 Issue #819 Noted in Passing: Representatives of the Bureau of Special Investigation came to her residence after her death and demanded that NLD documents be surrendered to them. -- OSLO DEMOCRATIC VOICE OF BURMA: DEATH OF NLD MP HEADLINES: ========== THE STRAITS TIMES: MYANMAR WILL NOT ATTEND ASEM II OSLO DEMOCRATIC VOICE OF BURMA: DEATH OF NLD MP SCMP: TERROR OF JUNTA DASHES REFUGEES' DREAM OF HOME KNU: PRESS RELEASE NO.54/97 BURMANET: SEEKING REFUGE IN KAREN CULTS NEW YORK TIMES: AFGHAN OPIUM PRODUCTION IS UP, U.N. SAYS USA TODAY: RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION BILL OPPOSED TRANSCRIPT: U.S. DEFENSE OFFICIAL PRESS ROUNDTABLE GALONNI SANGHAS' LEAGUE: APPEAL TO SANGHA NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: IT IS TIME OF TEST...LET'S BE UNITED XINHUA: UPGRADE ROAD TO BOOST TRADE WITH YUNNAN NLM: MINISTER INSPECTS FLOOD-AFFECTED AREAS BKK POST: PTT FILES COMPLAINT AGAINST PIPELINE OPPONENT NATION: PTT LETTER- PTT GAS PIPELINE PROJECT IS FRIENDLY ANNOUNCEMENT: ASSK TO UNHCR VIDEOTAPE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE STRAITS TIMES: MYANMAR WILL NOT ATTEND ASEM II September 11, 1997 AFP, Kyodo MANILA - Myanmar will not join the second Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem II) next year despite its membership in Asean, Philippine Foreign Secretary Domingo Siazon said yesterday. "Well, we never thought that Myanmar will be accepted in time for the London meeting. There was never that issue," he told reporters. Mr Siazon, chairman of the Asean standing committee, said Myanmar's non-attendance at the Asem was not a problem at this time for the nine-member regional grouping. Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad threatened last week that Asean might boycott the London meeting if Myanmar was excluded. Asem links Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, China and South Korea with the 15-member European Union. British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook had said during an Asian visit earlier this month that sanctions against Myanmar's ruling junta by the EU, which denies visas to ministers and officials, would make it impossible for them to attend. The United States and the EU have opposed Myanmar's membership because of the ruling junta's human rights record. Philippine Foreign Under-secretary Rodolfo Severino said earlier this month that Asean ministers may discuss the grouping's common position on Myanmar's joining Asem on the sidelines of the UN general assembly meeting in New York this month. Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said in Jakarta yesterday his counterparts might meet Cambodian First Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ung Huot as part of efforts to seek a political solution in that country. ************************************* OSLO DEMOCRATIC VOICE OF BURMA: DEATH OF NLD MP September 8, 1997 It is reported that Daw Tin Saw Oo, who was elected as representative from Mon State's Mudon-1 constituency in the 1990 elections, died on 14 March. Daw Tin Saw Oo, who had a heart condition, was repeatedly subject to intimidation and harassment by the SLORC [State Law and Order Restoration Council] and eventually succumbed to a stroke, reported Htet Aung Kyaw. Two days prior to the death of Daw Tin Saw Oo, some officers from the Bureau of Special Investigation [BSI] came to her residence and urged her to resign as a representative of the NLD [National League for Democracy]. Daw Tin Saw Oo hurled abuse at them and drove them out of the house. According to a close friend who is now in Bangkok, she had suffered from high blood pressure since then and died eventually. Daw Tin Saw Oo attended the National Convention as one of the NLD delegates until the NLD left the convention and she is a close associate of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Daw Tin Saw Oo was 53 when she died. She was born in Nyaungwaing village in Mudon in 1944. She attended Mudon High School and passed the university entrance exam in 1961 and earned a law degree from Rangoon University in 1967-68. She had served as an advocate until the time of her death. She joined the NLD in 1988 and was assigned as chairman of the Mudon Township NLD. She was detained by the SLORC authorities in connection with the sixth anniversary of the elections last year. An obituary on the death of Daw Tin Saw Oo was sent to Myanmar Alin and Kyemon newspapers and the newspapers held it for a week, saying the SLORC banned it due to the reference to a member of the National Convention and NLD representative. The obituary was included only after a week when references to her as a member of the convention and NLD representative were dropped. Representatives of the BSI came to her residence after her death and demanded that NLD documents be surrendered to them. When the family refused they left with a threat of retaliation. Six representative of the NLD Central Committee attended the funeral of Daw Tin Saw Oo and brought a letter of condolences from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The NLD representatives took care of the funeral which was attended by over 5,000 people, including students and youths despite the closure of some roads by the members of the township law and order restoration council. ********************************** SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST: TERROR OF JUNTA DASHES REFUGEES' DREAM OF HOME September 11 1997 AFP, Dhaka --A group representing about 21,000 Burmese Muslim refugees in Bangladesh yesterday said they wanted to return home, but only once it was safe to do so. The Rohingya Solidarity Organisation said in its latest newsletter: "We too feel that the Rohingyas should not be a catalyst in the population time-bomb of Bangladesh and would prefer going back home to live there peacefully." But it added Burma's ruling junta had "evil designs" on the Rohingyas and they could not go back yet. The statement comes amid pressure from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to allow them to remain in the country following the Government's repatriation debacle. It had to be suspended after violent protests at two camps in southeastern Cox's Bazar district in July. About 25 people were wounded. Dhaka has now initiated what it calls a "motivation programme" to encourage them to return voluntarily, and has denied claims that the refugees were being forcibly repatriated. The Rohingya organisation earlier claimed that up to 14,000 new Burmese Muslims had crossed the border into Bangladesh since June, while the UNHCR put the number at 7,000. Bangladesh officials would only say that "several thousand" Rohingyas arrived. But the latest newsletter said the flow of refugees had been stemmed by Dhaka, which has deployed a large number of paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles on the 150-kilometre border. More than 280,000 Muslims from Burma's Arakan state fled to Bangladesh in 1991 to escape repression and human rights violations. Most were repatriated under a 1991 agreement between Dhaka and Rangoon, followed by a second accord in 1993 between the UNHCR and Burma. ******************************************************* KNU: PRESS RELEASE NO.54/97 September 12, 1997 win1@psnulok.loxinfo.co.th OFFICE OF THE SUPREME HEADQUARTERS KAREN NATIONAL UNION KAWTHOOLEI Press Release No.54/97 Regarding SLORC Military Offensive against KNU September 12,1997 Kaw-ka-reik District * 1.7.97: A unit from SLORC LIB 356, led by Major Zaw Myo Tet, came to Chauk-kwa on border and crossed into Thailand. The troops then forced the villagers to dismantle iron roofing sheets, 77 in number, from a Thai Forestry Department building and took them across the border. The troops tried to sell the roofing sheets to villagers near the border. When the villagers refused to buy out of fear, the troops forced them to carry the sheets back to their camp. * This same unit, on the way, seized 21 buffaloes and 29 cattle of the Karen villagers and sold them back to the villagers by force at the rate of 3,500 Baht per buffalo and 1,600 Baht per cattle. * 3.8.97: Troops from SLORC IB 61 Company 1, forced Kwi-ler-teh villagers to carry heavy bags of lime to Tee-ta-baung village. Those who could not carry well were severely beaten and, as result, 2 villagers Saw Ko Plaw and Ah Dee came close to death due to serious injuries. * 3.8.97: Troops from SLORC IB 61 forced villagers from Kwee-lon-taing, Chauk-kwa, Ga-daw, Meh-tha-raw-ta, Meh-nor-taw, Kwee-kler, Poe-chee-mu, Taw-wah and etc. villages in Kaw-ka-reik township to carry cement bags to Tee-ta-baung village. The villagers had nothing to eat on the way. Some who became very weak from hunger and fell off the line were kicked and beaten severely. * Ten families from Pu-ray and 10 families from Thay-part-taw villages, consisting of 157 person together, fled from their villagers, when they could no longer been ill-treatment by the troops from SLORC IB 357. To avoid the SLORC troops, they had to take several days on very difficult tracks to reach the Thai border area in Umphang Township on 6.8.97. * Similarly, 62 villagers of Naung-ta-ko, Naung-ta-man fled from their villages because of ill-treatment by the SLORC troops and arrived at the Thai border area in Umphang Township on 13.8.97. Seventy two villagers from Win-lon arrived on 16.8.97. At one point on the way, they were sighted and attacked by the SLORC troops. Nine families consisting of 49 persons, from Ka-mar-kler village, arrived on 18.8.97. (Translated, printed and distributed by the Karen Information Center) ******************************************** BURMANET: SEEKING REFUGE IN KAREN CULTS September 11, 1997 Rallying fearful villagers in a formerly peaceful part of southern Karen State, a pair of eight year old twins are leading them into battle with the assurance that no bullets will strike. That is, as long as the followers truly believe and obey the dietary restrictions which the twins have laid out. Since an initial victory against SLORC troops in late February 1997, the fame of the twins has spread throughout Karen State and into Tenasserim Division. One devoted mother who is now staying in Thailand related with pride how her 24 year old son is a member of the twins' army. "My son is with them. I'm happy. I'm not afraid. If they don't drink and don't kill, no bullets will hit them." The two Karen boys were born to spirit-worshipping hill Karen parents and have had no formal education. Their father is an alcoholic who is known to steal chickens and their mother is slightly retarded or crazy. Despite their unpromising background, the twins began having visions which they say came from God. One twin has declared himself a general (thuh ko) and the other a pastor (thera). In early 1997, they established what they call "God's Army" (Guhsuh Doh Yuwa Thu Muh Do). They are assisted by two Baptist Karen preachers and, in battle, a number of KNLA soldiers. "God's Army" is fighting against the SLORC so that peace can be restored in the KNU's 4th Brigade, but the twins have also warned that if they need to fight the KNU, they will. For the time being, relations between the KNU and the twins seem to be friendly enough, with the KNU providing ammunition and KNLA troops, some of whom are also believers. The twins now command between 80 and 100 soldiers, mostly villagers with little training. The army came into being after the twins made a number of predictions which later came true. A former Bible teacher who is a dedicated follower reported that in one instance, the twins told some villagers not to eat pork or they would become ill and disfigured. The villagers didn't listen, and later they got diarrhea and one man's mouth became permanently askew. In another instance, the villagers heard the sound of many footsteps in the night. The village sentry was looking for the troops but couldn't see anything. The boys told the villagers not to worry, these are "friendly troops" which have come to help. Because the area was heavily mined, the villagers thought they would hear the sound of mines exploding, but they heard nothing but the footsteps. In the morning, all the landmines were no longer underground but sitting on top of the soil. The villagers believed that God's invisible troops had indeed arrived. The twins have ordered followers to refrain not only from alcohol and narcotics but also pork and eggs. Before going into battle, they also insist on pure vegetarianism for a prescribed number of days. In battle, the twins have told their soldiers that they must not curse or loot, and they should try to capture enemy troops rather than kill them. (Captured troops are handed over to the KNU). According to one supporter, there have been several instances of battle injuries and deaths, but only to people who have broken the rules. In one case, a soldier cursed while in a skirmish, so his protection was gone. He was shot by SLORC troops and injured in the mouth. In another instance, a group of villagers wanted to attack the SLORC troops on a particular day, but the military twin said, "I didn't receive any information from God, so I don't want to go into this battle." The group didn't listen and went to fight anyway. On top of that, they had reportedly also stolen chickens in the past. Many were injured. The military twin told people not to call him by the name his parents gave him but instead to call him Johnny Htoo. Johnny Htoo was a skilled KNLA commander who had formed a regiment called God's Army in the KNU's Sixth Brigade and died several years ago. Orthodox Christian denominations reject the concept of reincarnation, but many of the villagers suspect that the famous military leader may have been reborn in the body of this skinny little eight-year old boy. The twins attend religious services three times a day, at 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m. Although the twins cannot read the Bible, devotees report that when the Holy Spirit enters them, they can easily recite verse after verse. When they have visions, they leave the church and go sit under a tree with a candle. When they are not busy with religious services and military matters, they play like any other eight year olds. Followers who live outside the community of believers can maintain their connection by obeying the dietary restrictions and also praying three times a day. At each prayer session, they should sing Hymn Number 277 from the Karen Hymn Book, "Forth to the Fight Ye Ransomed", and recite from the Bible 1st Timothy Chapter 6 Verse 12: "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your confession." Messianic cults and claims of spiritual protection against bullets have a long history in Burma. When Saya San lead Burmese peasants against the British colonial administration in the 1930s, he also promised his troops immunity from bullets. At the same time, a number of prophetic movements have developed among Buddhist and spirit-worshipping Karens in the Thai-Burma border area over the past 100 years. One current cult resides at the base of Zwe Gabin Mountain in Pa-an. After having a vision when he was 17, a Pwo Karen boy who used to teach Karen dancing started a community to prepare for the imminent arrival of the Ariya (Maitraya) Buddha. He set up the village next to a sacred spring, while he himself resides in a cave halfway up the mountain and is carried up and down 4 days a week. Now 20, he is called Pu Padoh, or great grandfather, by his 300 plus followers, and adorns himself with brightly patterned flowing robes, a headband, and a golden hair piece. Adherents living at the site, called Toh Jai Kah Wee, must follow strict rules in order to be saved. Besides wearing woven Karen clothes at all times, they must refrain from drinking alcohol and chewing betel nut, practice vegetarianism, and spend their days praying and dancing. Cult members attend three worship services a day, and follow Pu Padoh or an elder attendant in repeating sacred verses. Pu Padoh reportedly possesses a holy book but has not shown it to his followers, some of whom believe he is actually the Maitraya Buddha. According to devotees, their leader has been fasting for over a year, and he often goes into trance and speaks in other tongues such as Chinese and English, but never Burmese. Cult members have been told by Pu Padoh, that they should stay three years, three months, and three days, after which a new directive will come. Followers consist primarily of uneducated Karen villagers who have been victims of trauma - most had come from villages which had experienced repeated SLORC raids, and many had previously fled to Thailand where they stayed in refugee camps or worked illegally. Donations of food are brought every day by relatives of the cult members and other supporters. Although Pu Padoh has visited U Thuzana, the leader of a similar vegetarian Karen community, he says that he does not like the fact that U Thuzana's supporters, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, carry guns. Left alone by the SLORC throughout 1996, the supporters spent their days blissfully removed from the continuing civil war engulfing Karen State. Seeking peace and reassurance, the members of the Toh Jai Kah Wee cult and the God's Army, have found temporary solace. Confusion and fear have been replaced by the certainty that by following a simple set of rules, their well-being will be guaranteed. Fascinating in their details and histories, these cults are tragic in their implications. They are the products of tremendous human suffering and indications of how profoundly once-stable communities have been shaken by Burma's civil war. *********************************** NEW YORK TIMES: DESPITE TALIBAN VOW, AFGHAN OPIUM PRODUCTION IS UP, U.N. SAYS September 11, 1997 [abridged] Christopher S. Wren The Muslim fundamentalist Taliban movement has pledged to crack down on opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, but opium production there has jumped by 25 percent over the last year, with almost all of the increase occurring in Taliban controlled areas, United Nations International Drug Control Program officials said Wednesday. The United Nations agency's 1997 survey, scheduled for release Thursday, estimates that Afghan opium production rose to about 2,800 metric tons this year from 2,300 tons in 1996. United Nations officials report that Afghanistan now produces the raw ingredient for nearly half of the world's heroin. Last year, Afghanistan ranked second to Myanmar, which produced 2,500 metric tons of opium, according to a State Department estimate. Officials say the Taliban, which has seized power in 22 of Afghanistan's 32 provinces, now controls 96 percent of its poppy-growing areas. The increase resulted from higher poppy yields, which were attributed to favorable weather, improved cultivation techniques and the shifting of some farmland to poppy cultivation. Taliban officials say they cannot stop peasants from growing opium poppies without other crops to substitute, and contend that persuading them to switch depends on economic assistance from the international community. The United States and many other countries have kept the Taliban at arm's length because of its violent rise to power and repressive policies like the relegation of women to inferior status. But international officials and journalists traveling in Afghanistan reported that the Taliban is not just tolerating opium production but also taxing it for desperately needed revenue and that Taliban militiamen have been seen guarding opium warehouses and helping transport the crop. Afghanistan is one of six countries identified by the State Department as not cooperating sufficiently in the international fight against illegal drugs. The other countries are Colombia, Iran, Myanmar, Nigeria, and Syria. ******************************************** USA TODAY: RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION BILL OPPOSED September 10, 1997 Andrea Stone WASHINGTON- The Clinton administration left no doubt Tuesday it will oppose a major push by conservatives to punish foreign nations for religious persecution abroad. The proposed Freedom from Religious Persecution Act would withhold nonhumanitarian financial aid to foreign governments that persecute religious groups. It also would set up a White House office to monitor religious persecution overseas. "The bill could seriously harm the very people it seeks to help - those facing religious persecution," Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights John Shattuck told the House International Relations Committee. "We fear reprisals by repressive governments against victims, as well as an end to any dialogue on religious freedom, in retaliation for sanctions." Among some of the countries potentially vulnerable to the bill, sponsored by Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., and Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., are Sudan, China, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Ethiopia, and Burma. "I don't know of any American who is not in favor of freedom of religion," Specter says. "This is one of our tope legislative priorities," Christian Coalition spokesman Arne Owens says. He says the White House if "following a policy of appeasement" toward trade and political partners, like China and Saudi Arabia. ******************************************* TRANSCRIPT: U.S. DEFENSE OFFICIAL PRESS ROUNDTABLE IN BKK:U.S POLICY TOWARDS ASIA September 9, 1997 [short excerpt only] Bangkok -- A delegation of U.S. defense officials is visiting security leaders throughout the Asia-Pacific region to make sure they understand the full commitment of the United States to the security of the region, according to Franklin D. Kramer, assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs. Kramer said U.S. policies toward Burma and Cambodia were subjects of discussion in Thailand and elsewhere on their trip. "With respect to Burma," he said, "U.S. policy is well known. We have grave concerns about the activities of the SLORC, and it's for that reason that we have the policy that we have. We have a difference to some extent with the ASEAN countries. That decision has been made by them. We maintain the same objectives, and I had some extensive discussions with the National Security Council here as to how to go forward and achieve those objectives which of course are bringing about a democratic, free Burma. ***************************************** GALONNI SANGHAS' LEAGUE: APPEAL TO SANGHA September 1, 1997 From: Chan An appeal for the Burmese Sanghas to observe the 9th anniversary of military Coup d'etat by staying inside their respective monasteries. September 18, 1997 marks the 9th anniversary of bloody crackdown of peoples' uprising by the Slorc, military junta. As a result of 9 years of military rule, Burma's economy has touched the bottom and the people are suffering acute economic crisis. Many times over, the Sanghas have to return to their monasteries with empty bowls. It is shameful that in Burma, where Buddhism flourishes and rice are plenty; the Sanghas should experience starvation. Despite their promise of a new democratic society, Slorc ignored the results of the 1990 general election, attempting to prolong their rule by convening so-called national convention and placing opponents in jail. These acts show that all the Slorc's promises are empty. 323 Sanghas have been killed since 1988 uprising. 16 Sanghs died in prison after military takes over. After military coup, 500 Sanghas were arrested by the Slorc, of which 152 Sanghas are still in various prisons in Burma. Those 152 Sanghas are disrobed and sent to labor camps. Due to fear of arrest, over 30, 000 Sanghas returned to layman life. Over 200 Sanghas left for border areas controlled by revolutionary groups. In some remote areas, Slorc inducted native people into Buddhism by force. Slorc deliberately involves Sanghas in bloody killings created by them (e.g. Myaing Gyi Ngu Sayadaw and DKBO-KNU conflict). Religious conflicts instigated by the Slorc indicate their attempt to undermine Buddhism (e.g., Buddhist-Moslem conflict in March 1997). As long as Slorc exists, there can be no political stability; where there is no political stability there can not be peace and prosperity. We strongly believe that in order to become a just, peaceful and prosperous country the present military dictatorship must be eradicated from the Burmese soil. Therefore, we earnestly appeal all the Sanghas to observe the occasion that falls on 18 September 1997 by staying inside their monasteries and temples. Sanghas, orders of Buddha, can not die from missing a meal. Date- 1 September 1997. Central Executive Committee Galonni Sanghas' League. Upper Burma. This statement has been unofficially translated by the Burma Info Group (India). Appendix 1. The Sanghas should be careful, for Slorc can diverge the movement by instigating religious conflict. 2. The people should support the Sanghas in their movement by sending foods and offerings to their monasteries. **************************************** NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: IT IS TIME OF TEST...LET'S BE UNITED September 6, 1997 by Sithu Nyein Aye I, Maung Nyein Aye, once said that the West had held a monopoly of the world's economy for a long time and now, the East could have restored the balance. The West is watching, not quietly, the effort to recover balance. I warned that the West is waging counter attacks instigating political instability in the East with purported accusations under the pretexts of human rights, equal wages, child labour and forced labour. Especially, they may fear that all 10 nations of the South-East Asia become integrated into the ASEAN and the region maintains peace and tranquillity. They seem to have a dread of the union of the integrated South-East Asia and Japan, Korea and the People's Republic of China to overtake the West's economy. That is the reason they tried many times to undermine the ASEAN 10 objective. They employed various tactics to disrupt admission of Myanmar to ASEAN. They imposed pressure, made coercement, and instigated the opposition groups within the country to shout as they instructed. However, when the ASEAN Summit drew closer, they noticed that they were far away from their goal. ASEAN nations were not subject to their coercement. Meanwhile, Cambodia's internal affairs arose unexpectedly. It was heard that ASEAN would reschedule new membership if Cambodia problem was not solved. Myanmar, however, became ASEAN member at last after overcoming all hurdles. As I ponder over, I doubt that the unexpected Cambodia's internal problem could be the outcome of their guile and wiles. But as I usually work out every matter simply, I am not qualified to get a proper answer. It could be just a coincidence! I once considered that they might use computers to find strategy to create new problems. The strategists, who apply computers, might plan the Cambodia problem. Who knows? Amidst their interruptions, Myanmar became a member of ASEAN. They do not appear to be pleased; they feel grudged, maybe. Perhaps, their computers gave a signal to them to punish 'such a stubborn' ASEAN. George Soros of New York, an American money broker, unscrupulously attacked the frail Thai baht. George Soros is the one who drew and is implementing a scheme called "Burma Project" to cause trouble to Myanmar. Baht fell. It was accompanied by ringgit of Malaysia, rupiah of Indonesia and peso of the Philippines. Even the strong Singaporean dollar was hit. Of course, Myanmar kyat was no excuse. The central banks had to prop up their currencies. They had to purchase their own currencies with their own foreign currency reserves. Though Thailand protected against her currency sacrificing billions of her own foreign currency reserves, baht fell violently. Thailand had to take billions of monetary aid from IMF and other countries. The East's stock markets were also attacked while the East's monetary market was under attack. It was heard that a total of 480 million dollars of US investment was withdrawn from the East's market. Stock markets of Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore capsized. [Table omitted] Thailand's economy with over 90 billion dollars debt overturned unbelievably. The economic structure believed to be the most progressive all over Asia collapsed in no time. Most tycoons with BMWs and Mercedes suffered. Loans obtained from abroad are to be repaid under obligation. If all the debts were settled, what would be left? Compared to them, Maung Nyein Aye does not have foreign debts. What a relief! While attacking the East by speculation, the West came to be affected. When cash-strapped nations of the East were caught in a position to stop their giant projects, companies of the West, who had won contracts in the industrial sector, were alarmed. They felt anxious lest the East might not buy weapons from them. They were concerned about their economy which might go down unless the expensive West-made weapons were sold. It is certain that the East, faced with this plight only provisionally, would be able to find outlet from it soon. Persons who own assets cannot let their money lie in the banks. They have to seek ones who are hardworking and promising markets. Their estimation that Latin America and East Europe would become their new markets where they can make investments is actually not certain. Then, they have to turn towards the East which is bold and dare to risk in doing business. Under this situation, Myanmar is in the best position. Myanmar workers are disciplined, productive and dexterous. They learn easily. Resource-rich, food-sufficient Myanmar is geographically in an advantageous location from which it can reach large markets. If there is stability in the nation and all political problems can be solved, foreign investments, not less than 100 billion dollars, will roll into the country. At that time, everyone will be employed and the nation is certain to become a tiger, a golden tiger, in South-East Asia. For our nation to become a golden tiger, all of us at different ages and in different ranks must be in unity, harmony and amity. Nothing will come out from blaming, quarrelling and disparaging one another. If all are bent on engaging in demonstrations and protests, chanting "Doh Ayay! Doh Ayay! [Our Cause, Our Cause]", they will sink into the sea of trouble. In the time of our parents, they chanted slogans like "Thakin myo hay, doh Bamar" (We, Myanmars, are masters!). I, too, chanted "Doh Ayay! Doh Ayay" in my youth. It is time for one to consider whether he or she is patriotic if he or she continues to put the nation to trouble while transferring this art of chanting "Doh Ayay!". I strongly wish to shout at the top of my voice. "Oh, our nationals! We are in a crucial time. Let us all be united!" so that the nation would not be part of the declining regional economy. ************************************ BEIJING XINHUA: UPGRADE BURMESE BORDER ROAD TO BOOST TRADE WITH YUNNAN September 9, 1997 Yangon, September 9 (XINHUA) -- A 163-kilometer road linking Lashio and Muse in Shan State in northeastern Myanmar [Burma], which leads up to the northern end of the country and runs towards China's southern city Ruili in Yunnan province, was inaugurated today after being upgraded. State-run Radio Myanmar said this evening that Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt, first secretary of Myanmar's governing body the State Law and Order Restoration Council, and other ministers attended the opening ceremony. The construction of the road began in July last year. The completion of the road is expected to promote the development of Myanmar's border areas and its border trade with China. ********************************** NLM: MINISTER INSPECTS FLOOD-AFFECTED AREAS IN TENASSERIM September 7, 1997 YANGON, 6 Sept - Member of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Soe Myint accompanied by officials, inspected regions affected by floods and land erosion in Taninthayi [Tenasserim] Division yesterday. Yesterday morning, the minister and party arrived at Myeik [Mergui] where they were welcomed by Chairman of Taninthayi Division Law and Order Restoration Council Maj-Gen Thura Thiha Thura Sit Maung and military and civilian officials. They then proceeded to Dawei [Tavoy] where they were welcomed by Brig-Gen Zaw Tun of Dawei Station and officials. Brig-Gen Zaw Tun, the Chairman of Dawei District Law and Order Restoration Council, and the Senior Engineer of Public Works briefed the minister on floods and land erosion which occurred in Launglon, Yebyu and some regions in the last week of August and relief measures. The minister and Maj-Gen Thura Thiha Thura Sit Maung gave instructions. Afterwards, the minister and party helicoptered to Kyauknimaw Village and inspected villages, motor roads and plantations in the flood-affected area. They inspected land erosion and houses affected and met residents. In meeting with members of Auxiliary Fire Brigade, the minister gave instructions on fire prevention, carrying out organizational work and buying light fire engines. The minister and party then proceeded to Panyit Village, Launglon Township, where 117 houses were destroyed by land erosion on 24 August and met the residents. The minister explained relief supplies to be provided by the Government and resettlement programme for those who lost houses. Brig-Gen Thura Thiha Thura Sit Maung also said rice worth Kyat 100,000 will be added to the relief supplies. The minister and party also went to Maungmagan Village and inspected Laytha Monastery destroyed by land erosion on 23 August there. They met village residents at the local station hospital and told them to take care of areas where flood is likely to occur. ************************************** BKK POST: PTT FILES COMPLAINT AGAINST PIPELINE OPPONENT September 11, 1997 [abridged] Kanittha Inchukul, Chakrit Ridmontri The Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) has taken legal action against a local opponent of its gas pipeline construction project in Kanchanaburi. But student activists accused the authority of intimidating villagers after a group of armed men were seen accompanying PTT officials during a survey of an area in dispute. The authority last week filed a complaint with police against Wisant Pongwithayapanu, a local businessman from Thong Pha Phum district, for obstructing its project and violating the Petroleum Authority of Thailand Act. Mr Wisant was accused of hampering PTT officials from laying the pipeline in Ban Punoi and Ban Kaeng Rabued in Tambon Wang Krajae, Sai Yok earlier this month. He was said to have put up barbed wire around a plot which PTT claimed did not belong to him. The land belonged to Salad Krutcha, who has been compensated for allowing the PTT to lay the pipeline through it, the PTT claimed. Mr Wisant was believed to have agreed to buy the land from Mrs Salad. But the deal has not yet been officially inked. A group of student activists yesterday held a press conference to condemn the PTT for what they described as persecution of a local villager. A group of men armed with M-16 assault rifles accompanied PTT officials to the scene of the dispute to intimidate opponents, said Penphan Inthapantee, coordinator of the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment Conservation of 16 Institutes. She said Mr Wisant has since gone into hiding after a warrant for his arrest was issued fearing for his personal safety. A PTT official who spoke on condition of anonymity admitted that local armed volunteers were accompanying PTT officials during their survey of the disputed site to ensure that the pipeline construction could proceed. She said the action was necessary to protect company officials because Mr Wisant was known to be an "influential figure" in the area and to carry weapons with him. ********************************************* THE NATION: PTT LETTER- PTT GAS PIPELINE PROJECT IS FRIENDLY TO THE ENVIRONMENT September 11, 1997 In response to the article "Feeling the Pinch" in The Nation's Focus section on Sept 1 the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) would like to clarify parts of the story which related to its gas pipeline project: that the PTT refused to conduct a study on the Royal crab species . **About 50 kilometres of the total 260 kilometres of the pipeline construction will pass through forest area which is mostly deteriorated. Conservation groups have made observations that two protected species, the Royal crab and the Kitti bat, might be affected. So, PTT joined the Wildlife Fund Thailand (WFT) [led by Suraphol Duangkhae] and the Kanchanaburi Environmental Group [led by Phinan Chotirosseranee] to survey the area and found that an area two kilometres from the pipeline at KP 33 is a swamp area inhabited by the Royal crab. And also that an area near KP 50 of the pipeline is inhabited by the Kitti bat. **Suraphol informed the PTT that the pipeline route is out of the swamp area and suggested that the project could continue if the construction technique is environmentally friendly, saying that the Royal crabs in the area will not be affected. **Suraphol also said Kitti bats live in the limestone caves and fly for food only two times a day, for about 30 minutes each time, in the morning and evening. So, if construction activity can avoid those periods it will not affect the species. **Based on PTT's environmental mitigation plan, stated in the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report, the project will not affect the two species. **Suraphol suggested PTT create a project to conserve the Royal crab species in the long term. The PTT will consider the suggestion. **During the technical hearing on the project, the PTT asked the WFT to conduct a study of the Royal crab species and wild elephants near the route. Suraphol said he would, but has not yet. **The National Environment Board approved the EIA report together with the establishment of a committee headed by the Kanchanaburi governor to monitor the project following all nine measures stated in the EIA report. But the conservation group which was part of the committee resigned, so the position was filled with other experts. SONGKIAT THANSAMRIT DIRECTOR OF PTT'S PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT **************************************************************** ANNOUNCEMENT: ASSK TO UNHCR VIDEOTAPE September 11, 1997 Sender: Wrightson Tongue Dear Friends, The full videotape address of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to the United Nations Human rights Commission has been posted at Burmasong in RealVideo. There are four segments concerning the repression of the NLD, the human rights situation in Burma, the refugee situation on the border, and an appeal for support from the international community. The audio portion is in English. The URL is: http://users.imagiware.com/wtongue/assk2.html A number of audio files in RealAudio are also posted on this page in English and Burmese. Peace and Courage, Wrightson ****************************************************