------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: October 23, 1997 Issue #851 HEADLINES: ========== THE NATION: GERMAN MINISTER SAYS EU SEEKS CHANGE BKK POST: GAS PIPELINE TO CUT THROUGH PARK SHAN HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION: SEPTEMBER REPORT THE NATION: BURMA TO AUCTION GEMS BKK POST: THAI-BURMESE DEAL REACHED TO SOLVE PROBLEMS BKK POST: NEW BORDER PASS TO OPEN AT KIEW PAWOG THE NATION: THAILAND EYES BURMA FOR INVESTMENT ANNOUNCEMENT: HEARING ON PROPOSED SEATTLE ORDINANCE ANNOUNCEMENT: FREE BURMA WEEK AT CSU LONG BEACH -------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE NATION: GERMAN MINISTER SAYS EU SEEKS CHANGE ON FOUR FRONTS IN BURMA October 22, 1997 AFP THE European Union (EU) wants to see change on four fronts in military-run Burma to institute democracy and improved human rights, German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel said yesterday. In an uncompromising stance, the EU wants the release of all political prisoners and an end to military-rule, Kinkel said during his official two-day visit to Thailand. The EU is also seeking for the ruling junta to grant democratic political parties in Burma access to "political life" and the promulgation of a democratic constitution, he told a news conference. Kinkel said the EU was willing to open contacts with Burma's ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc), which has never recognised the 1990 general election victory of democratic opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. "The EU has signalled again and again that it would like to enter contact with Myanmar [Burma] but they've reacted with great caution," he said. "Myanmar must open up to the outside world." The minister said the situation in Burma had "not improved" since Rangoon was admitted into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in July, adding that Burma remained a "central issue" in EU-Asean affairs. There were "obvious human right violations and democratic deficits" in the military state, which had led the EU to renew its limited sanctions - basically a visa ban for top officials against Burma earlier this month. The German foreign minister discussed Burma at length with his counterpart Prachuab Chaiyasarn on Monday. Yesterday, he met with Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh. Kinkel said that Burma's military government had requested to know the EU's objections to its rule. The four points would be conveyed to them by Thailand, he said. However, the Thai foreign minister had not been formally asked by Germany to act as an intermediary between Burma and the EU, an aide to the German minister said. Burma was admitted into Asean along with Laos in July, despite objections from western nations seeking to isolate the Slorc, in a bid to force it into reforms. Asean prefers a policy of "constructive engagement" to promote trade and gradual political change. This month, the EU opted not to beef up its sanctions to put the break on new investment in Burma, as the United States has done, but only to renew its visa ban against members of the junta and their families. In a related development, the Burmese military government yesterday rejected an Amnesty International report calling on the international community to press for the release of political detainees. Amnesty said in a report released on Monday that Burma's ruling junta has shown "cynical contempt" over calls to improve human rights and still holds at least 1,200 political prisoners. ******************************************************* BKK POST: GAS PIPELINE TO CUT THROUGH PARK October 22, 1997 Chakrit Ridmontri Special status lifted so fines are avoided The Petroleum Authority of Thailand won cabinet approval yesterday to begin laying its gas pipeline through Sai Yok national park when the rainy season ends. The cabinet approved an Industry Ministry request to revoke the national park status of the sections through which the pipeline will be laid, resolving a stumbling block but setting the stage for confrontation with project opponents. Four sections are covered by the resolution at a total distance of 8.4km by 20m, a total area of 105 rai. The Forestry Department and National Park Committee reportedly approved the PTT's request for the revocation. In a letter to the cabinet, the Industry Ministry said the National Environment Board had approved the project's environment impact assessment. The PTT had agreed to set aside 197 million baht for an environmental mitigation plan to be overseen by a committee chaired by the Kanchanaburi governor. "The ministry considers the project important in shoring up our national security in energy," the letter said. It also said it is necessary to lay the gas pipeline through the Sai Yok by next month to ensure completion by July next year. "Otherwise, damages will result estimated to cost one billion baht a month." Petipong Puengboon na Ayudhaya, deputy permanent secretary for agriculture, said earlier that part of the pipeline that would pass through the park would not have severe impact on forests that are mostly degraded. He was more concerned about areas outside the park, especially the 6km stretch through Huay Kba Yeng forest in Thong Pha Phum district, which is susceptible because it is lush. Conservationists rejected Mr Petipong's assertion that the park areas in question are degraded. Surapon Duangkhae, deputy secretary-general of Wildlife Fund Thailand, said: "The park is formed of limestone as a result of which forest cover is not dense with bamboo clumps scattering about. Unfortunately, the Forestry Department classifies this unique forest ecology as degraded. Consequently, it agreed to let the PTT clear the forest." Mr Surapon insisted the project's EIA had been hastily done and was incomplete, and therefore the PTT could not have foreseen the actual environment impact to the forests and come up with appropriate mitigation measures. "For example, what should we do with deer and civets that fall in the ditches prepared for gas pipes when the EIA did not indicate that these animals inhabited this area," he said. Mr Surapon also raised doubts about the neutrality and effectiveness of the monitoring panel under Governor Khwanchai Wasawong which, he said, allowed the PTT to carry out many activities prohibited by the mitigation plan. Construction of the 260km pipeline in other areas, however, is going full steam. ************************************************ SHAN HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION: SEPTEMBER REPORT September 1997 From: shan Relocation in Murng Pan In June 1997, in Murngpan township, at least 26 villages were forced by LIB no.332 to move to the town and along the main road near the town. Village Number of houses 1. Kiu Hung 18 2. Look Pa Pek 15 3. Pang Khao Larm 8 4. Tham Tawng 55 5. Look Pa Phai 25 6. Wan Kyawng 53 7. Nawng Long 67 8. Loi Mon 22 9. Tong Zu 74 10. Huay Zoi 72 11. Nar Wawn 15 12. Pung Zan 42 13. Nawng Lur 74 14. Loi Mai Pok 45 15. Nawng Kheo 150 16. Pang Mi 18 17. Kan Kan 45 18. Nam Maw Pung 35 19. San Khwarng 30 20. Nawng Harn 25 21. Tawng Kwai Tai 80 22. Tawng Kwai Nur 83 23. Wan Larn 35 24. Tham Kyawng 16 25. Kung Mark Larng 16 26. Pang Kom 16 Cattle, pigs and chickens which the villagers had not been able to take away with them were shot by the Slorc soldiers. BEATEN TO DEATH On 7.6.97, 3 villagers of Wan Kyawng, Murngpan township, were beaten to death by Slorc LIB no.332 troops from Murngpan. The 3 villagers were: 1. Loong Za Li, 40, son of Loong Sai & Pa Ku 2. Loong Nan Ta, 45, son of Loong Mawng & Pa Pao 3. Sai Ta, 37, son of Htun Kya & Pa Wan On 13.6.97, 5 villagers of different villages in Murngpan township were beaten to death by Slorc LIB no.332 troops from Murngpan. The 5 victims were: 1. Pannya, 35, son of Loong Ku Na & Pa Zim, Nam Maw Mon village. 2. Loong Pae, 50, son of Loong Kham Leng & Pa Ngern, Nawng Harn village. 3. Pa Kao, 50, son of Loong Tho & Pa Zan, Wan Kung village, Murng Pai. 4. Su Nan Ta, 40, son of loong Ku & Pa Kham, loi Noi village. 5. Su Na Ta, Long Kaeng village. EXTORTION AND KILLING On 4.8.97, Maj. Tin Htut of Slorc LIB no.332 instructed Capt. Aung Zaw and 5-6 troops to disguise as SURA (Shan United Revolutionary Army) troops. Capt. Aung Zaw and his troops then went and arrested 3 villagers in Murngpan township. The 3 arrested were: 1. Sai Ma La, 32, of Ho Lin village, Ho Lin tract, Murngpan township. He often acted as interpreter between the villagers and SLORC troops. 2. Sai Zing Na, 36, of Loi Noi village, Murngpan township. He was the secretary of Loi Noi village headman. 3. Sai Mu Ling, 38, of Kung Keng village, Murngpan township. Since these men could speak Burmese quite well, they were often asked by village leaders to help whenever the need to talk with Slorc troops arose. Capt. Aung Zaw and 5-6 of his troops, all disguised as SURA, went to their houses and from their doorsteps ordered them to come down the steps. After that the soldiers told their wives to bring down all the money and valuables they had, threatening to kill their husbands if they refused. After the wives had given all the money and valuables they had to the SLORC troops, they were told to go back into the houses and that their husbands would be released soon after. When the wives had gone back into the houses, the soldiers stabbed the men to death with knives and left a letter with the bodies. The letter was written as if by SURA and it said that these 3 men had always cooperated with Slorc against SURA, making it very difficult for SURA to get food from the villagers and to move around, and thus they deserved death. According to the local villagers, this was a plot set up by Slorc to undermine the Shan resistance movement. LOOTING OF DESERTED VILLAGES On 26.7.97, Maj. Tin Htut of LIB no.332 ordered his troops to loot the villages which were deserted because of the forced relocation a month or so ago in Murngpan township. The Slorc soldiers took all they wanted. They took all the timbered houses apart and carried all the good timber to their base. On 2-3.8.97, the timber was trucked away to be sold at towns such as Namzarng, Taunggyi and Mandalay. The bamboo and thatched houses were generally burned down. SHOOTING AT RANDOM On 19.8.97, a combined force of Slorc troops from LIB no.516 (Namzarng) and IB no.248 (Murngnai) patrolled the area of Nam Ern village, Nar Wawn tract, Murngpan township. They opened fire when they saw a group of 6 villagers from a distance and wounded one woman, while the other 5 managed to run away and escaped. The wounded woman was Nang Pao, 30, who was hit in her left thigh and left arm. KILLING AND RAPING On 10.8.97, 80 Slorc troops of IB no.246, led by Maj Too Nyeing, arrested 6 villagers in Kho Lam area, Namzarng township. 1. Sai Wi Ya, 40 2. Sai Harn, 38 3. Sai Parn, 37 4. Nang Poi, 36 - a divorcee (woman) 5. Nang Htoo, 32 an unmarried woman 6. Sai Kaw Ya, 29 These people were accused of supporting the SURA troops with food and were taken to the army base at Kho Lam. The men were beaten and tortured while being interrogated and finally killed by suffocation, with plastic bags being put over their heads and faces. The 2 women were accused of being wives of SURA members and were raped repeatedly for 5 consecutive days. Just before release, Maj. Too Nyeing warned them not to tell anything about the raping to anyone, otherwise they would face 6 months imprisonment. RELOCATION IN MURNGNAI On 28.7.97, Maj. Khin Than Aye of IB no.64 ordered the headman of Mai Hai village tract named Su Nan Ta to move all the villages, altogether 416 households, to the town of Murngnai. The movement was to be completed on 31.7.97. On 1.8.97, Maj Khin Than Aye ordered Capt. Maung Hla and 50 troops to take 30 labourers who had tools to go and dismantle the houses in Mai Hai village tract. For 10 consecutive days, they carried away the timber and corrugated iron from the dismantled houses with 15 trucks to the base of IB no.64, and later took it to be sold in the towns like Namzarng and Taunggyi etc. KILLING On 7.8.97, 150 Slorc troops of LIB no.516 from Namzarng, led by Maj. Myint Maung, made a search in the area of Wan Lao village tract, Kunhing township, and shot dead 2 villagers. (1) Nang Mai, 25, daughter of Loong Zing & Pa Awng of Wan Lao. (2) Ping Nya, 30, son of Loong Yawd & Nai Mart of Wan Lao. TROOP MOVEMENT In August, Tactical Command (1) commander Col. Sein Thaung, under the Eastern Regional Command, with LIB no.524 (Kunhing) under his command were stationed in Kaeng Lom village tract, Kunhing township, and were active in the area. On 22.5.97, 8 villagers of Ter Zarng village, Nar Poi tract, Namzarng township, who had been relocated, went back to their old village of Ter Zarng to get their belongings which they had not been able to take with them during the time of relocation. On their way back, they ran into a group of Slorc troops from Namzarng at the old village of Loi Waeng, Nar Poi tract. They all started to run but only 4 of them managed to escape. The other 4 were captured, tied up together two-by-two and were killed, and their bodies were thrown into an old dugout in Loi Waeng village. The 4 villagers killed were: (1) Loong Kaw Yao (2) Nai Nu (his wife) (3) Sai Ka Wing (their son) (4) name unknown (their nephew) The Slorc soldiers also robbed the dead of their valuables -- 2 tical-weight of gold, 2 good quality precious stones, 60 ancient British silver coins and other valuables worth over 100,000 Kyat. KILLING Sometime in June 1997, Slorc troops of Laikha-based LIB no.515 arrested 9 villagers of Wan Pung Murng Yang village, Laikha township. The villagers were tied up, brought to Nawng Kar monastery and displayed for every passing car driver to see. The Slorc soldiers asked the passing drivers if the villagers were robbers, and the answers were all yes. Later all the 9 villagers were beheaded by Slorc troops. Sometime in April and early May 1997, 3 villagers -- Loong Kham, Ai Aw Tawm and Sang La -- who had been relocated, went back to their old village of Wan Mawn, Laikha township. A group of Slorc troops from Laikha- based LIB no.515 found them and arrested them. The villagers were interrogated one by one and later Ai Aw was released -- he might have satisfied them with his answer. The other 2 were tied up together and thrown into Nam Taeng river after their faces were cut with a knife by Slorc troops. LAHU, WA & PALAUNG HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE REPORT On 6.7.97, Slorc troops from no.516 LIB led by Lt.Col. Min Thu shot dead 4 villagers and burnt more than 800 tins of paddy at Kun Ho Haw village, Kaeng Kham tract, Kunhing township. The 4 villagers killed were: 1. Ai Wi, 20, son of Loong Sai, Kiu Kang village. 2. Nya Yawng, 45, son of Loong Su Pan Nya, Nar Kawng village. 3. Wa Lik Ta, 43, son of Loong Ta, Nar Pawk village. 4. Wi Ya, 25, son of Loong Su, Nar Pawk village. On 24.7.97, a mixed force of Slorc troops from IB no.246 and LIB no.524 shot dead 4 villagers in Sai Murng area, Kaeng Lom tract, Kunhing township. 1. Wing Ta, 30, son of Loong Ing Ta & Pa Lai, Pang Kha village. 2. Mu Ning, 25, son of Loong Phom Wan & Pa Nu, Wan Kyawng village. 3. Nang Khing, 19, daughter of Loong Wong & Pa Mon, Nam Lin village. 4. Pan Ta Na, 23, son of Loong Saw Li & Pa Yong, Wan Long village. On 6.8.97, the same troops shot at 4 villagers in Sai Murng area, Kaeng Lom tract, Kunhing township, instantly killing 2 and wounding the other 2 villagers. The 2 killed were: 1. Loong Ta, 45, son of Loong Saw Hin & Pa Zing, Sai Murng village. 2. Wi Zing Ta, 30, son of Loong Yawd & Pa Nyunt, Sai Murng village. The 2 wounded were: 1. Loong Lu, 48, son of Loong Awng & Pa Moi, Wan Long village. 2. Nang Poo, 40, daughter of Maha Zing & Pa Mon, Wan Long village. The troops also shot 1 ox of Loong Lu Long and a cow belonged to Pa Zarm. On 11.8.97, Slorc troops from LIB no.516 arrested 3 Palawng and 3 Shan villagers of Nawng Lom village, Kunhing township. On 20.8.97, they were forced to pay 5,000 kyat each in exchange for their release. On 18.8.97, Slorc troops of LIB no.516, led by Maj. Myint Aung, shot dead a villager of Kung Sa village, Wan Lao tract, Kunhing township, in his farm at Ho Pha Larn. The victim was Sai Wa Ling, 25, son of Loong Maha Aw Ta & Pa Khawng. The Slorc troops also arrested Loong Zik Ta, 40, son of Loong Wi & Pa Sae from Kung Sa village, at Na La village. They beat and tortured him, and peeled off some of his skin before they released him. He was being treated at Kunhing hospital at the time of this report. On 20.8.97, Sergeant Aye Myint from the sharp shooter company of no.3 Tactical Command seized a buffalo belonged to Loong Na Ling of Pang Hoong village. The Slorc soldier forced the owner to buy back his buffalo for 2,100 Kyat. On 26.8.97, Slorc troops no.516 LIB led by Col. Thura Sein Thaung arrested 18 villagers who were working in the rice fields at Huay Sai Lao and Huay Kun, Kunhing township. The soldiers destroyed the paddy plants by pulling them out from the roots and let their horses into the fields to eat. They also burnt down Palawng villages of Nawng Lom, Look Long and Kai Ek, and forced the villagers to move to Nar Tong Mon near Kunhing town. On 18.8.97, Slorc Maj. Myint Maung of LIB no.516 arrested Sai Noi, a resident of Quarter 4, Kunhing township, on a charge of having connection with the Shan resistance. On 20.8.97, Sai Noi committed suicide in Kunhing jail. After Sai Noi's death, Slorc troops arrested his wife Nang Noi who was still being held in Kunhing prison. On 20.8.97, Slorc troops of LIB no.516 shot dead 2 villagers, husband and wife, at their farm in Kaeng Lom tract, Kunhing township. They also shot one ox for food. The 2 killed were: 1. Ar Zing Na, 30, son of Loong Ekka & Pa Nyo, Wan Mai village. 2. Nang Seng Zing (Ar Zing Na's wife), 20, daughter of Loong Zi & Pa Suay, Wan Mai village. On 22.8.97, Slorc troops of LIB no.516 shot at a motorcycle taxi driver near Pha Lang in Kunhing township. The victim was Ai Htun, 18, son of Loong Ar Zik Ta & Pa Noi, Nawng Ngern village. He was hit in the left chest and was in a critical condition. Whether he is dead or alive is not yet known at the moment. On 28.7.97, Slorc Maj. Moe Myint Maung of LIB no.516 seized a woman Nang Mai, 30, wife of Loong Sang Moo and daughter of Loong Ming & Pa Nang Awng, at Nar Kun village, Kaeng Lom tract, Kunhing township. The Slorc Major took her away and raped her until 1.8.97 and shot her dead, and set fire to her body. ********************************************** THE NATION: BURMA TO AUCTION GEMS October 22, 1997 AFP RANGOON - Burma is to auction off gems, jade and pearls worth more than US$14 million at a sale in Rangoon starting tomorrow, organisers said yesterday. Nearly 400 gem merchants from 18 countries are expected to attend the sale which ends next Monday, with viewing and inspection starting yesterday, deputy minister for Mines Hlaing Win said. Since a new gems law in September 1995, the sale and production of gems and jade is being handled increasingly by the private sector, although production and sale of pearls remains mostly in the hands of the state. Two joint-ventures with foreign companies have been started recently. The gems law was enacted mainly to encourage privatisation and to stem the illegal flow of Burma's gems overseas, Hlaing Win said. The government also hopes to promote free trade in gems, formerly a state preserve, through the establishment of a gem market in Rangoon, and by setting up private outlets in other major cities, he said. ******************************************************* BKK POST: THAI-BURMESE DEAL REACHED TO SOLVE PROBLEMS PEACEFULLY October 22, 1997 Daily river transport and trading allowed Thai and Burmese authorities have reached an agreement to peacefully solve outstanding border problems along the Salween River following a recent clash between Thai rangers and Democratic Karen Buddhist Army force in Sob Moei district of Mae Hong Son province. According to the deal, the two sides would be allowed to engage in river transport activities from 8.00 a.m.-6.00 p.m. every day. But citizens of both countries are prohibited from carrying firearms when they cross the border to engage in trade. Commanders of the two sides must try to refrain from taking sides in case their subordinates engage in fighting. The Thai side propose that both sides of the Salween River stretching from Ban Mae Sam Lab to Ban Sob Moei be jointly promoted as tourist spots. Burmese officials agreed to forward the proposal to their superiors in Rangoon. Joint measures would also be devised to stop illegal logging along their common border. Representing Thailand in the negotiations were Sob Moei district chief Prasert Osathaphan and the commander of the 3607 Ranger Unit. The DKBA team was led by Shwe Long. a lieutenant colonel in the Burmese Army. Meanwhile, Tak authorities are planning to round up tens of thousands of Burmese aliens who have flocked to the province after losing jobs in Bangkok and other provinces. Maj-Gen Chalor Thongsala, chief of' the 4th Infantry Regiment, yesterday chaired a meeting of officials concerned in Mae Sot district to discuss problems that could be caused by the influx of illegal Burmese immigrants. The meeting was told some 25,000 Burmese aliens had moved into Tak after being laid off as a result of the current economic slump in Thailand. Most of them were staying in Mae Sot, Phop Phra and Mae Ramat districts to hunt for jobs. They have been found working as porters, farm hands and house servants. Mai-Gen Chalor said all agencies concerned must join forces to deal strictly with these illegal immigrants in order to prevent crime. Their arrests and repatriations in the past proved ineffective because Burma refused to take care of them, and many managed to sneak back into Thailand because they could find no job in their own country. Mai-Gen Chalor quoted Burma's Karen state governor Col Saw Khin Soe as saying Burma would take back illegal immigrants only when Thai authorities could prove they were Burmese nationals. Col Saw Khin Soe also proposed Thai investors set up agricultural or industrial businesses on Burmese soil near the common border to lure illegal Burmese immigrants back to their country. Mai-Gen Chalor said he was willing to coordinate with Burmese authorities on this if Thai investors were interested in the proposal. ******************************************************* BKK POST: NEW BORDER PASS TO OPEN AT KIEW PAWOG October 22, 1997 Phitsanu Thepthong Expected to boost trade and tourism Chiang Mai-- Thai and Burmese border authorities yesterday agreed to open the Kiew Pawog relaxation checkpoint in the Chiang Dao district of Chiang Mai for bilateral trade and tourism. The agreement was reached at a meeting in Chiang Mai. The meeting also agreed to upgrade the relaxation point to a permanent checkpoint once trade volume expands. Chiang Mai governor Palakorn Suwannarat said three other checkpoints along the Thai-Burmese border also were open at Mae Sai in Chiang Rai, Mae Sod in Tak, and Victoria Point in Ranong. Mr Palakorn said, effective today, the pass would be open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Under the agreement, Burmese travellers will be allowed to enter a further 100 metres into Thailand in the Ban Arunothai village. The Burmese town of Muangtuen is opposite the Kiew Pawog pass. He said the relaxation point eventually would be upgraded into a permanent checkpoint, with more trade and tours organised across the border into Burma. He expected the opening would benefit tourism. Thais could arrange joint tour promotions through the Guides Association, the Federation of Thai Industries, the Chamber of Commerce and the Tourist Authority of Thailand. But Mr Palakorn said the relaxation point was for Thais and Burmese nationals only. Foreigners were prohibited from using it to cross the border. Immigration officers would help check ID cards at the checkpoint, he said, adding that both countries had stepped up their security measures at the border opening. *************************************************** THE NATION: THAILAND EYES BURMA FOR INVESTMENT October 22, 1997 Nitsara Srihanam THE Commerce Ministry is looking for opportunities to invest in Burma's agricultural processing industry after the country's accession to Asean in July, which will cause it to open its markets in line with the Asean Free Trade Area agreement. Potential sectors for investment are canned fruit and vegetables and canned seafood. The deputy director-general of the Export Promotion Department, Rachane Potjanasuntorn, said after meeting Deputy PM's Office Minister Maung Maung yesterday that Burma is trying to promote foreign investment by relaxing regulations seen as barriers to investment and attempting to adjust its rules to international standards. Rachane said Burma needs to adjust all its investment and trade regulations to meet Afta requirements. It must reduce its tariffs to nought to five per cent by 2008, five years after the original members. In addition, it will automatically join the Asean Investment Cooperation scheme. Rangoon Commercial Minister Sriwat Suwan said the country is strongly promoting foreign investment by offering many preferences to foreign investors. This is seen as a crucial opportunity for Thai investors, especially in the agricultural processing industry. In terms of trade, Rachane said Burma is an important source of gemstones, so Thailand, a major gem and jewellery exporter, should cooperate with it in this sector. Rachane also invited the Burmese private sector to participate in the gem and jewellery fair held in Thailand twice a year. Maung Maung said during the meeting that Burma is ready to support Thai investors and will provide benefits to Thai people, as well as other foreign investors. Meanwhile, Maung Maung asked Thailand to support Burma's tourism industry by promoting package tours to encourage foreign tourists who visit Thailand to travel on to Burma. ******************************************************* ANNOUNCEMENT: PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED SEATTLE ORDINANCE October 22, 1997 From: Friends, We have now confirmed that there will be a PUBLIC HEARING (in the form of a "panel") at a meeting of the Business and Labor Committee of the Seattle City Council, at 9:30 am on Tuesday, Dec. 2. The proposed Seattle Burma Ordinance is the topic of discussion. Both supporters and opponents will be invited. Last night we held a strategy meeting, and will focus on generating support from labor, church groups, and grass-roots democratic activists. Our next meeting is on Monday, Nov. 3, from 7-8:45 at the University District branch of the Seattle Public Library, 5009 Roosevelt NE. Call 206-784-5742 for details. We are excited about this opportunity to discuss this issue PUBLICLY. Sincerely, Larry Dohrs Seattle 206-784-5742 ***************************************************** ANNOUNCEMENT: FREE BURMA WEEK AT CSU LONG BEACH October 22, 1997 From: Ali Ahmed FREE BURMA WEEK AT CSULB During November 3rd through 7th, the United Methodist's Student Movement of California State University of Long Beach will be hosting a "FREE BURMA WEEK". We will be showing a movie/documentary each afternoon and will be attending a table with info on Burma. At the table, we'll have a video continuously running showing the 8-8-88 demonstrations to attract attention. We'll also be passing petitions around asking the Student Body to pass a selective purchasing resolution in process. Although this is short notice, perhaps other campuses can join in on the "FREE BURMA WEEK" to make this a national event. If you are able to do so, please contact us so we can share ideas. Thanks & Peace! Ali ***********************************************