------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: October 20, 1997 Issue #848 HEADLINES: ========== THE NATION: EU ASK FOR ACTION FROM SLORC BKK POST: SUU KYI PLAYS HOST DVB: DRUG CONCERNS OPERATES FISHING TRAWLERS THE WASHINGTON POST :THE GENERALS VS THE PHYSICIANS THE NATION: HIV SCARE IN BURMA'S INSEIN ABSDF-WB: STATEMENT REGARDING ARSON OF MARKET THE HINDUSTAN TIMES: INVOLVEMENT OF SAMATA DENIED IMPHAL FREE PRESS: FLAG MEET AT MOREH CANCELLED IMPHAL FREE PRESS: MOREH JAC TO OBSERVE BANDH TODAY BKK POST: US GROUP ON FACT-FINDING TRIP TO REGION SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET NO.A-0174(I) AI ALMAAR: INVITATION - FORUM ON REFUGEES AND ASYLUM INVITATION: FORUM - AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN AND TRADE POLICY -------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE NATION: EU ASK FOR ACTION FROM SLORC October 18, 1997 EUROPEAN Union countries want to see a Burmese "programme of action" that shows the world community that the military junta plans to respect human rights and put the country on the track to democracy, Foreign Minister Prachuab Chaiyasan said. Prachuab said-yesterday that the EU regarded as "a good sign" that Burma's military junta, known as the State, Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc), has already held a dialogue with National League for Democracy'(NLD). "But it wants to see more concrete steps including the programme of action which could show others that Burma is approaching democratisation and that it respects human rights," Prachuab added. The minister was speaking at a press briefing by telephone from Brussels after meeting the European Commission's Vice President Manuel Marlin. The EU countries have banned the entry of the Slorc leaders into their countries as a sanction against the Slorc administration. Burma's admission into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has received strong criticism from Western countries, including the United States and EU countries, who are dialogue partners of the grouping. Burma's membership also caused a divide between Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) members which has Asean as a core, because the European countries, citing Burma's dictatorship and poor human rights record, do not want to see the country attend the Asem meeting in London next year. However, Asean argues that it prefers to see a "non discrimination" policy for new members of Asem. Prachuab yesterday said Marlin asked Thailand to stay close to the development of democracy and human rights in the country and to brief EU on the progress, so that the EU could lobby members which oppose Burma's attendance at the next Asem meeting. Marlin was quoted as saying that the opponents of Burma included Norway, Denmark and other Scandinavian countries. "Senior Asem officials will meet next month in Luxemburg to discuss the directions in which the Asem membership will expand," he said. Prachuab added that during the discussion, in which they touched on Cambodia, Marlin said that the EU is willing to give US$12 million in financial support to help Cambodia organise the national election in May next year. ********************************************* BKK POST: SUU KYI PLAYS HOST October 18, 1997 AP Rangoon- Burma's military government permitted democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and more than 300 members of her National League for Democracy to hold a religious ceremony at her home here yesterday. Party faithful dressed in their customary peach-colored jackets paid respects to 60 senior politicians, including some of Burma's independence fighters, during the traditional ceremony of obeisance to elders that marks the end of the three-month Buddhist lent. ***************************************** DVB: DRUG CONCERNS OPERATES FISHING TRAWLERS October 14, 1997 [translated from Burmese] Oslo - Democratic Voice of Burma The rivalry between a Mergui-based fishing trawler company led by Kyar Maung, a follower of Khun Sa and Lo Hsing Han, and another fishing trawler company owned by a Thai company and led by Ko Ke and Ko San has become more pronounced in the region since the beginning of fishing season in late September. In late May 1996, Tun Myint Naing alias Stephen Law, son of opium trafficker Lo Hsing Han, and U Than Tun, a representative of Khun Sa, arrived at the newly opened Coastal Military Command and met with the commander, Maj. Gen. Sit Maung. It was learned that U Kyar Maung, who was known as a leading pirate in the coastal region and who has concessions along the Tenasserim coast, was appointed as a representative of Lo Hsing Han's company. Although U Kyar Maung is not known to the world like Khun Sa and Lo Hsing Han, there is almost no one who does not know U Kyar Maung in Burma's sea. Like Khun Sa, he has his own army which is allowed to hold modern weapons with its base in Cape Kyar Gyi Aw in Tenasserim Township. Commander Sit Maung allowed other leading pirates like Kyar Maung -- Maung Ngo, Tin Pe, Me Mahn, and Win Naing -- to form anti-insurgent groups and settle on islands between Palau and Kawthaung. Each Thai fishing company is required to give $12,000 for each fishing trawler and additional money to armed groups they come across in the open sea. Lately, the Thai fishing trawlers are no longer interested in conventional arrangements as they find it more profitable to deal with local military units by bribing them. Bribery in the form of cash to a SLORC [State Law and Order Restoration Council] naval boat allows them to send 80 percent of the catch to Ranong and the remaining 20 percent to the port of Mergui. Sometimes, a bribe of Baht 100,000 to a naval boat would allow them to use dynamites in the sea. Compared to nets, this method increased the catch by 10 times. Although this method is not allowed under the law, most Thai trawlers use this method. The fishing concern led by U Kyar Maung in which Commander Sit Maung has shares does not have to give bribe to any military units. According to sources close to them, various permits for trawlers were granted under the names of various companies, but the money comes from drug traffickers. Commander Sit Maung, who behaves like a king in the Tenasserim Division, earned his name in fighting Khun Sa's forces in the Shan State. However, according to local people, at present, he is doing well for himself by colluding with the former enemy, drug trafficker Khun Sa. **************************************** THE WASHINGTON POST :THE GENERALS VS THE PHYSICIANS October 19, 1997 By Cesar Chelala One of the most regrettable aspects of Burma's abusive military regime is its persecution and imprisonment of physicians. This persecution comes at a time of continuous deterioration of health conditions in that country. It can be anticipated that the situation will only worsen unless the international community forces out a dictatorship that is far more responsive to its own perverse interests than to the welfare of the Burmese people. Now under arrest or missing are eight physicians who are members of parliament. It is known that three of them were given 25-year prison sentences for attending secret meetings. One of the physicians, Dr. Aung Khin Sint, had been awarded a literacy award in 1972 and received the World Health Fellowship three times. He was arrested on Aug. 4, 1993, for distributing leaflets that opposed restrictions imposed on the National Convention. He was released on Feb. 4, 1995, rearrested on July 23, 1996, and is still in prison. No sentence has been given, nor are family visits allowed. Also imprisoned is Dr. Ma Thida, the recipient of the 1996 Reebok Human Rights Award and of the PEN/Barbara Goldsmith award, which honors writers or journalists who have courageously defended freedom of expression. Dr. Ma Thida is a writer and political activist who was a campaign assistant to Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Burma's democracy movement. In October 1993, she was sentenced to 20 years in prison for "endangering public tranquillity, having contact with unlawful organizations, and distributing unlawful literature." It's possible that Dr. Ma Thida was punished for being among several physicians who treated civilians during the pro-democracy demonstrations of 1988, and for her outspoken work for the National League for Democracy. She is being kept at Insein prison in Rangoon. A report by Amnesty International reveals that Dr. Ma Thida is held in solitary confinement, that her prison cell has little light and that she has no access to reading materials. She has had tuberculosis, and in the past three years has developed three ovarian tumors that require surgery. Because of lack of access to her or to information about her health, it is not known whether surgery has been performed to remove the tumors. Burma's jails are mostly inaccessible not only to human rights and humanitarian organizations but, in many cases, to the families of the detainees as well. It is estimated that there are 4,800 prisoners in Insein prison, most of whom are without adequate medical attention, in conditions that Amnesty International indicates often amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Also of concern is the denial of medical care for those imprisoned or forced to act as porters for army troops in border areas. Civilians have been repeatedly maimed or killed by land mines placed by the military. Physicians for Human Rights has gathered information that in the past the Burmese security forces have violated internationally accepted principles of medical neutrality. In addition, during periods of conflict between the government and minority groups, health workers in border areas have been detained for rendering medical care, and civilians in those areas have been denied the most basic medical attention. The need for health workers is the more pressing because AIDS is an important public health problem in the region in general and in Burma in particular. In 1996 it was estimated that 500,000 people in Burma had been infected with HIV. Of an estimated 160,000 drug addicts, at least half are said by experts to be infected with HIV. Burma's neighbors share in the risk, as HIV infection spreads quickly along drug trade routes. There has been a rapid expansion of the epidemic from the poppy-growing centers of northern Thailand to neighboring areas of Burma, China, India and Laos. Currently, only about 65 percent of the Burmese people have access to basic health services, which explains the poor national health indicators. The national infant mortality rate in 1995 was 105 for every 1,000 live births, with wide regional variations in the country. This compares with 34 in Vietnam, 27 in Thailand and 11 in Malaysia. According to UNICEF, 1 million children are malnourished, 9 to 12 percent severely so. The high rate of babies with birth weight below 5 1/2 pounds probably reflects the high malnutrition levels among pregnant women. UNICEF reports that maternal mortality rates for 1990 were an astronomically high 580 per 100,000 live births, compared with 80 in Malaysia and 10 in Singapore. Most maternal deaths in Burma are due to induced abortions, largely conducted clandestinely, and to unsanitary conditions. In addition, there is a widespread lack of essential medications, which contributes to the poor health status of the population. There has been a slow but noticeable change in the international community's stance toward Burma, which makes the goal of forcing out the generals appear within reach. Several companies have in the recent past pulled out of the country, while no new investments can come from America, since President Clinton announced sanctions against the junta last May. If that tendency gathers momentum, the worsening economic situation may precipitate the general's downfall. It can't be too soon for the suffering Burmese people. The writer is a member of the International Advisory Board of Physicians for Human Rights. ************************************** THE NATION: HIV SCARE IN BURMA'S INSEIN October 19, 1997 Aung Zaw Sunday Review Burma Watch Former political prisoners tell of their experience in one of the most notorious prisons. Insein, Burma's notorious prison, is where most of the country's political prisoners are incarcerated. But anyone who has been inside and come out alive, dreads the idea of ever going back. The prison system often reflects the type of government in power, said 32 year-old former political prisoner and engineering student Win Naing Oo who is now living in exile. In the past few years, approximately 100 political prisoners have died in Insein as a result of dysentery and severe torture. More recently, some political prisoners have died of Aids. However, to date, the authorities are not paying any serious attention to the worsening health situation and the spread of the deadly HIV virus among inmates in Insein. Former political prisoner Moe Aye who spent six years in Insein said prisoners are afraid to go to the prison hospital. "Before, when we were sick, we would go there, but not anymore," he said. The reason: only one needle is used a day for up to 200 patients. This includes drug addicts. And the resultant uncontrolled spread of the virus. Inside the prison hospital, there's a small signboard at the entrance of the OPT (Out Patient Treatment) room which reads: "Today: 15 needles are permitted for use." According to Moe Aye, the OPT treats almost 200 patients daily. Thus, if one needs an emergency injection, to ensure safety, the patient has to bribe the medical officer to the tune of 300 kyat for a new needles and syringe. In addition, "the medical workers" at the prison are not properly trained, but prisoners who are handpicked by wardens to work in the hospital. "And many of them are drug addicts who are infected with HIV," Moe Aye said. Given this, political prisoners have demanded that no inmates be sent to the prison hospital, while the ruling junta's military intelligence encourages jail authorities to send the sick there. Consequently, all inmates including political prisoners fear getting injections at the prison hospital. Their concern is genuine. A number of political prisoners in Burma have died of Aids. These include U Hla Than, the National League for Democracy (NLD) parliamentarian for the Coco Islands, and the Peoples' Progressive Party's U Hla Myint and U Kin Sein. But those who suffer are not only Burmese. According to a former Thai prisoner, at least one Thai dies each month of HIV/Aids - many of whom were fishermen arrested in Burmese waters. "I've seen my [Thai] friends die in the prison - the authorities paid no attention," said Rashen Plengvithaya who was in Insein prison for five years. Insein prison hospital has one doctor who is only available on Wednesdays. On other days, the prisoners can see a "medical worker" between 10 am and 4 pm. When Moe Aye was imprisoned, Corp Khin Maung Nwe, who had little clinical knowledge or experience, was assigned as a "medical worker". The prisoners, he said, called him "Mr Burspro". "Regardless of the affliction, all patients were treated with the same medicine, usually a weak pain-killer like Burspro," Moe Aye said. "There were no appropriate medicines provided, no regular check-ups by doctors, no proper diagnoses, no proper treatment, and no assistance or care of any kind for the patients," he said. "Our blood pressure and heart rates were never taken and we never saw a doctor with a stethoscope." In 1991, the political prisoners requested that prison doctor Soe Kyi provide all inmates with proper medicine after hearing of the premature death of political prisoner U Tin Maung Win. "You're lucky that we're even kind enough to prescribe Burspro. If the MIS [Military Intelligence Service] knew about that, we [doctors and medics] would be fired," Soe Kyi responded. "We were told not to give any treatment to those who are awaiting trial or currently being tried." And other horror stories abound. In 1991 a student who was suffering from a bad toothache, went to see the doctor. Soe Kyi asked him, "Where does it hurt?" The student replied, "My lower left jaw." Sae Kyi smiled and said, "Okay, use your right side [to eat food]." The student screamed, "You're not a doctor!" "No. I'm not a dentist either," the doctor said. In late February 1991, Toe Toe Tun from the Democratic Party for a New Society, was suffering from dysentery and asked Soe Kyi to authorise special meals of porridge and boiled water for him. As usual, Soe Kyi replied, "It's impossible to provide boiled water. We don't even have boiled water to clean the needles at our hospital." And in March 1991, Moe Zaw Oo from the NLD developed a large boil on his hip. "Medical worker" Khin Maung Nwe said the doctor would not treat him and offered to remove the boil himself. Moe Zaw Oo refused and insisted that he see the doctor. Soe Kyi arrived and threatened: "Your boil needs to be operated on but if you continue to complain, I'll send you to the hospital. And you know that in the hospital there is no operating room or sterile medical equipment and there are many HIV-positive Thai patients." Never forget, said the doctor, that this is a prison. Eventually, Khin Maung Nwe was assigned to operate. Ironically, he asked the prisoners to pay for new blades, bandages, alcohol and Ampicillin because the prison would not provide them. The political prisoners finally cut a deal with him. A political prisoner gave him his T-shirt, worth around 800 kyats, in exchange for Moe Zaw Oo's treatment. Moe Aye intents to write a book about his prison experiences. "For us, Insein prison is more like Auschwitz," he said. ******************************************** ABSDF-WB: STATEMENT REGARDING ARSON OF MARKET October 18, 1997 From: Zaw Zaw Statement of the All Burma Students' Democratic Front (Western-Burma) regarding the arson of Namphalong market complex We, the Burmese students have been officially taking shelter in India, as political refugees since the military coup in September 1988. Now the Slorc and its followers are distributing rumours at the Indo-Burma border that the Burmese students were involved in the incident of burning down the Namphalong market complex at the night of October 11, 1997. First of all we would like to explain that we absolutely were not involved in this incident. It is just defaming the Burmese students by the Slorc to create the misunderstanding between Burmese students and people who are residing at Indo-Burma border. All the people of Burma including even the Slorc know very well that the Burmese students are not the destructive elements and always think and work for the benefit of the people. We strongly believe that such kind of instability at the border area is due to the self-centeredness and eagerness to get the upper hand of the Burmese military junta. Similar incidents will happen in the future also, unless the Slorc considers both sides. It is a deeply ingrained habit of the Slorc that they will complain to authorities of neighboring countries that the instabilities of the border area is due to the presence of anti-Slorc elements at there. During the coming flag meeting the Slorc might ask the Indian authorities not to allow the democratic forces of Burma to stay in border area, claiming that all instabilities there are created by them. According to the reliable source from Burma, we came to know that the Burmese Military Intelligence Service had sent at least 20 well trained intelligence inside the territory of India since early 1997 to create problems between Burmese democratic elements and both the people and government of India. Moreover their intention is to destroy the unity of democratic forces of Burma also. The military regime of Burma is always unpleasant with the presence of anti-Slorc forces at the border area; those often took place the anti-Slorc measures there. They always complain to the authorities of India in every flag meeting not to allow the Burmese students live at the border area like Moreh. We notice that now is a good opportunity for the Slorc to create misunderstandings between Burmese students and the government of India by accusing us as the culprits of arson of Namphalong market complex and instability at the border area. We strongly hope that the people and government of a big democratic country like India will not accept the unreasonable accusations and complaints of the universal liar like Slorc. Regional Working Group ABSDF (Western-Burma) Date-17/10/97 ******************************************************* THE HINDUSTAN TIMES (NEW DELHI): INVOLVEMENT OF SAMATA DENIED October 16, 1997 NEW DELHI, Oct. 15 --Samata Party general secretary Jaya Jaitly today denied the involvement of her party or its president George Fernandes in the razing of the Namphalong Market complex on Oct 12 in Myanmar close to Moreh town of Manipur. The recent incidents could be part of a "fight back" by the drug Mafia. She said some newspapers had reported allegations that the Oct 2 protest which SP activists held against drug trade was actually a front for helping the traders' in Moreh whose business had been brought to a standstill following the setting up of the big market complex in Tamu about three months ago. Addressing a Press conference, she said the Samata Party had decided to hold the protest in Moreh way back in December 1996 at its National Executive much before the market of Namphalong had come up. The motivation was a story in the Time magazine, dated Dec 23,1996, which said the value of heroin smuggled from Burma through India to the Middle East, Europe and the United States was about Rs one lakh crore. The Narcotics Commissioner had reported that 50,000 people or one in every five youth, in the age-group of 19-30 -years were drug addicts in Manipur. As drugs were linked to AIDS the party wanted to create awareness against the dreaded disease which had afflicted many in Manipur. The party activists did build a human wall near Gate No. 2 of the Burmese border in Moreh in protest, but some amount of tension was created because local Meiteis, who had earlier welcomed them, now wanted them to go back. Word was spread that the move might lead to the closing of the gates to Burma which meant making Burmese market and goods in accessible. ****************************************************** IMPHAL FREE PRESS: FLAG MEET AT MOREH CANCELLED October 16, 1997 Moreh, Oct 15: There was a meeting between authorities of India and Myanmar at Tamu today to discuss the situation arising out of burning of Market Complex of Myanmar's Namphalong. The meeting as held at the local office of the State Law and Order Restoration Council, SLORC from 11 AM to 1 PM. The Indian delegation was led by Deputy Commissioner of Chandel, S. Budhachandra Singh and SP Manglemjao Singh while Myanmarese team was led by Tamu district SLORC chairman, Lt. Col. Soe Tint. In the meeting the Myanmarese delegation alleged that the arson and firing were carried out by 20 to 30 persons and eight of the culprits were Tamils. They also said three persons sustained bullet injuries in the incident. One junior immigration official and one Municipal staff, who sustained injuries, had now been fully recovered. The other injured, a shopkeeper whose condition had deteriorated had been shifted to Mandalay for further treatment, they said. The district Slorc chairman visited Namphalong super Market in the morning to assess the damage. According to the Myanmarese delegation goods worth about Rs. 2 crores were destroyed in the fire.. The fire also reduced 365 stalls to ashes. Later in the day the deputy commissioner Chandel held a meeting with police, Army, BSF (Border Security Force) and CRPF ( Central Reserve Police Force) officials to review the situation in Moreh. Meanwhile, the proposed flag meeting between India and Myanmarese authorities scheduled for tomorrow to discuss the situation following the burning of Myanmarese market Complex at Namphalong has been cancelled, adds our staff reporter in Imphal. The deputy commissioner of Chandel, S. Budhachandra Singh said representatives of State Law and Order Restoration Council, Slorc (Burmese military junta) who came from Saggaing division of the country had returned back from Tamu, the venue of the proposed meeting. According to the police, there was no report of any untoward incident at Moreh and nearby border area during the past 48 hours. However, the security forces and the police are fully on alert. The incident had severely affected the border trade. Business community at Moreh has appealed to the Myanmarese authorities to open the border as usual to allow free movement of traders. Myanmar had sealed the border completely following the incident. **************************************************** IMPHAL FREE PRESS: MOREH JAC TO OBSERVE BANDH TODAY, RELAXATION FOR VEHICLES October 17, 1997 Moreh, Oct 16: The Joint Action Committee of Moreh town will observe a peaceful Moreh bandh tomorrow in protest against the death of C Karuppaia, who was found shot dead at Moreh on October 12 morning. The bandh will begin at 5 am and will end 5 PM. Essential service, buses and other vehicles will be exempted from the bandh, JAC said. The JAC is demanding Rs. 10,000 as ex-gratia the death of Karuppaia and the two missing Meiteis (Manipuri). Representatives of the JAC and district officials led by DC S. Budhachandra Singh held a meeting here this morning. In the meeting the JAC strongly protested the charge that the deceased Tamil and other Tamils were involved in the burning of Manphalonf market shed. The Myanmese authority is understood to have told authorities at Moreh that identity of an India nationals who were involved in the arson had been established. They also charged that the deceased was involved in the incident. President of Tamil Sangam, Moreh, K. Monoharan strongly denied involvement of Tamils in the Namphalong incident. He also said the Tamil boy who was found dead was a habitual drunkard and also mentally unsound. He also described the report that six persons were killed in the Namphalong incident as baseless. The president said that Moreh wanted to have good relationship with Myanmar. He also said following he closure of the border lobourers and small-traders here were on the verge of starvation as prices had soared beyond common men's means. For instance the price of rice has gone up to Rs. 28 per Choi. Before the incident it was only Rs. 20. There is also scarcity of chicken, fish and mutton. Source said Myanmarese authorities told its India counterpart that the market shed would soon be constructed and sought the cooperation of the later. They also said the border would be sealed for one month. A JAC member and a representative of the Hill Tribal Council said the dead body was abandoned at Canan Veng. He however, did not say anything about the charge that Kukis were involved in the incident ************************************************* BKK POST: US GROUP ON FACT-FINDING TRIP TO REGION October 19, 1997 Ralph Bachoe Ex-Ambassador talks to Aung San Suu Kyi Former US ambassador to Thailand Morton Abramowitz met with leaders of the Burmese opposition group in Bangkok on Friday after visiting Singapore, Burma and Thailand this week to assess the situation in the region. The Americans planned meeting with Prime Minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh was called off at the last minute. Mr Abramowitz was accompanied by former ambassador Richard Lee Armitage, who served as Assistant Secretary of Defence for International Security Affairs in the Pentagon from June 1983 to May 1989; also an academic and a senior official of the Burma-Myanmar Forum which financed the trip. The meeting was attended by Tin Maung Win, vice president of the Democratic Alliance of Burma and Presidium member of the National Council of the Union of Burma; Teddy Buri and Aung Naing Oo of the foreign affairs department of NCUB and a senior official of a Mon organisation opposed to the military government. Also present were three senior journalists and a representative of the Open Society Institute, an organisation backed by American philanthropist George Soros. The US delegation after meeting with Lee Kwan Yew in Singapore, arrived in Rangoon on October 14. The Americans met with Lt Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary-l, on September 16 before arriving in Bangkok the same evening. The American delegation also had a two-hour meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi, opposition leader of the National League for Democracy. According to Mr Abramowitz, Lt Gen Khin Nyunt told him dialogue with the NLD would continue but did not say when. However the general was supposed to have emphasised that meetings with the opposition, which won a landslide victory in the 1990 general election, must not include Aung San Suu Kyi. Mr Abramowitz told the group at the Bangkok meeting that he was under the impression that the generals in Rangoon "disliked" Aung San Suu Kyi. The former ambassador who is presently acting president of the International Crisis Group, also thinks that Aung San Suu Kyi has being isolated to the point that she is unaware of some of the issues going on in Burma. She, however, is well informed on matters like foreign investment and the suffering of the people in the country, he said. He told the Burmese dissident group in Bangkok that like they believe, Aung San Suu Kyi was also of the same mind that investments in Burma should cease for the moment because it was not beneficial to the people. Aung San Suu Kyi also expressed her concern about the future generation, especially about the students because of the disruption in their education with the frequent closures of schools and colleges. According to U Tin Maung Win, Mr Abramowitz said that economic sanctions would not work because it would not affect the SLORC but the people. However, U Tin Maung Win and the group stressed that the sanctions would eventually affect the Burmese military junta. The group also pointed out the issues of drugs and money laundering in which the Burmese military elite are involved. Burma watcher Bertil Lintner was said to have explained convincingly on the issue by producing relevant documents and news clippings. Mr Abramowitz said Lt Gen Khin Nyunt had admitted that the military is involved in drug dealings, but it was at a low level and along the border areas and the authorities are taking appropriate actions to curb the practice. However, people like U Tin Maung Win insist that the top military brass is involved. Said he, "They might not be openly dealing in drugs, but they do help facilitate the flow of the deadly merchandise [like providing transport]." He also explained to Mr Abramowitz about the situation in the country concerning the rampant corruption in Burma, the increase in drug production, the hardships of the people because of the dire straits of the economy, the recent floods which has severely affected the crops, and the ever-widening gap between the rich and the poor. He said a middle class does not exist in Burma. When asked by the Bangkok Post, U Tin Maung Win said that he strongly believes that unless the results of the 1990 election is honoured and the military agree to work hand-in-hand with the elected government there would be no peace in Burma. He added that it is necessary for the military institution to be involved in nation building and national reconciliation. The ruling regime, he added, must put an end to all kinds of suppression and intimidation that goes against democratic principles and practices. *************************************************** SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET NO.A-0174(I) October 18, 1997 [excerpts] From: OKKAR66127@AOL.COM (1) Joint Communique Issued on the Occasion of the State Visit to the Union of Myanmar of His Excellency Fidel V Ramos, President of the Republic of the Philippines During the visit, the following Agreements and Memoranda were signed: (a) Agreement on the Establishment of a Joint Commission of Bilateral Cooperation; (b) Trade Agreement; (c) Memorandum of Agreement on Cooperation Against Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and Abuses thereof; and (d) Memorandum of Understanding on the Promotion of Technical Cooperation in Forestry and Forest Industries Development, it is learnt. (2) Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications Introduces CDMA Telephone System in Yangon `Myanmar Posts and Telecommunication opened a ceremony to introduce CDMA telephone system in Bahan Township (Yangon). Speaking on the occasions, Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs U Soe Tha said the CDMA system introduced today has 1,000 lines at Shwegondine Station and another 2,000 lines at a communication station in Pabedan Township (Yangon). Each station has a ten-mile communication radius, affecting 22 townships in Yangon Division. There are 88,000 phone lines and 21 exchange stations in Yangon, he said. Work is in progress installing communication equipment in (3) Myanma Insurance, Mitsui Marine and Fire Insurance Company Ltd of Japan Agree to Form Joint Venture Myanma Insurance Mitsui Marine and Fire Insurance Company Ltd of Japan signed an MoU on 17 October to form Myanmar Mitsui Joint Venture Insurance Company. (4) MSE, CAMC Agree to Build Two 2,000-ton Sugar Mills Myanmar Sugacane Enterprise and China National Construction and Agricultural Machinery Import and Export Coporation (CAMC) of People's Republic of China on 17 October signed contract to build two 2,000-ton capacity sugar mills in Myanmar. The ministry is planning to build ten sugar mills and the present two are the eight and the ninth. (5) Indonesia Donates Cash for Flood Victims Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia Mr A Poerwato Lenggono called Minister for Social Welfare Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Soe Myint at his office. Mr Poerwato Lenggono presented cash to Maj-Gen Soe Myint for Myanmar flood victims. ************************************************ AI ALMAAR: INVITATION - FORUM ON REFUGEES AND ASYLUM October 17, 1997 From: ajsloot@worldonline.nl On the 24th of October AI Alkmaar organizes a forum/discussion meeting on the subject of refugees, asylum procedures and the situation of Burmese refugees in the Thai/Burma border area. Speakers will be Dr. Khin Ni Ni Thein (NCGUB), Mrs. P. Catz (AI Netherlands, refugee department), Mr. van Driel (lawyer specialised in asylum procedures) and Mr. Wesseling (IND, Foreign Affairs Netherlands). Two Burmese artists will perform for the audience. The meeting will start at 7:00 pm. Location is the Remonstrant Church, Fnidsen 35/37, Alkmaar, the Netherlands. By inviting several organisations and institutes as well as the City Council of Alkmaar Amnesty International Alkmaar aims to start a wide ranged discussion and further action. Interested organisations and individuals are welcome to attend the meeting and contribute to the discussion. For further information: Amnesty International Alkmaar, Tel/Fax: +31 (0)72 5121294 or email: *********************************************** INVITATION: FORUM ON AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN AND TRADE POLICY WHITE PAPER October 18, 1997 From: 082903@bud.cc.swin.edu.au Occasional Seminar Series presented a forum on The First Australian Foreign and Trade Policy White Paper presented by The Hon. Alexander Downer MHR Minister for Foreign Affairs and including comments from Peter Hartcher, Asia-Pacific Editor Australian Financial Review Catherina Toh, Corporate Counsel County Natwest Australia Ltd Monday 27th October 1997 6.30 pm sharp Coles Theatre, Melbourne Business School, 200 Leicester Street, Carlton, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Australia's first ever White Paper on Foreign and Trade Policy reinforced the notion that our economic and strategies survival is inextricably linked with the Asia Pacific region. Tabled by the Government in parliament last month, the report found that Asia was now our highest priority. The White Paper, In The National Interest, presents the principles and priorities shaping our Government's foreign affairs and trade policy and identifies globalisation and the economic rise of East Asia as key points of influence. It identifies China, Japan, Indonesia and the US as our four key international relationships. The paper supports trade liberalisation through APEC and the WTO and notes that this will bring long term employment gains. What are the implications for Australia' trade and industry? How will the government implement the White Paper's policy prescription? Why is government's China policy in the national interest? Will East Asia engage us? How will direct pursuit of the national interest impact on our multilateral relations and notions of Australia as a good international citizen? Our panel of presenters will disseminate issues arising from the White Paper and discuss its strategic importance. Admission $10.00, Students (with ID) and University of Melbourne staff $5.00, Free to Evening Seminar Series Associates and Asialink Circle Members Please RSVP (aaceptance only) to Elaine Kininmonth at Asialink Tel: (03) 93491899 Fax: (03) 93471768 *********************************************