------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: November 14, 1997 Issue #868 HEADLINES: ========== BKK POST: BURMA ROW FORCES UNION TO CANCEL TALKS REUTERS: BURMA MILITARY STOPS SUU KYI FROM LEAVING HOME SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET A-0206(I),A-0207,A-0208(I/L),A-0209(I) BKK POST: RELEASED PRISONERS TALK OF TERRIBLE JAIL THE ASIAN AGE (NEW DELHI): CLINTON TO MEET ASEAN LEADERS NLM: EDITORIAL: MRCS WILL BECOME A DEPENDABLE FORCE THE NATION: EU, ASEAN RISKING IT ALL OVER BURMA BKK POST: TIMES CHANGE BUT NOT SLORC BKK POST: WORK BEGINS ON KEY PHASE OF PIPELINE BURMA BUERO: LUFTHANSA UPDATE BURMANET SUBJECT-MATTER RESOURCE LIST -------------------------------------------------------------------------- BKK POST: BURMA ROW FORCES UNION TO CANCEL TALKS November 13, 1997 Brussels, Agencies Meeting would have improved cooperation The European Union (EU) yesterday called off a meeting with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in Bangkok next week because of disagreement over Burma's participation. A spokesman for the EU Commission said the bloc "regretted" the decision but insisted that Asean's demands that Burma should be given full observer status in the talks, due to be held on November 17-19, were "not acceptable". The EU suspended all high-level contacts with Burma in protest at the military regime's suppression of democracy and human rights. But EU officials say that in discussions earlier this month, the 15 EU governments had come around to the idea that Burma would attend the Bangkok meeting but only informally and in a "passive capacity". "We think our proposals were constructive," an EU official commented. "They were meant to ensure that our relations with Asean did not suffer because of disagreement over Burma. But unfortunately, they were not accepted by Asean." In a letter-sent to the European Commission this week, Asean stressed that it wanted the Burmese representative to have full observer status. According to EU officials, this implied that the Burmese officials would sit with other Asean participants at the negotiating table and take an active part in the talks. "For us, this was just not acceptable," the EU spokesman said, adding that "Asean is asking us to do the impossible. Legally, we are bound to say no." EU officials say they regret the disagreement and hope that a meeting can be convened soon in "a proper manner". "We have a number of very important issues that we need to discuss with each other," one official said. "It's unfortunate that a minor problem has been allowed to torpedo a major policy initiative to bring Europe and Asean closer." The meeting in Bangkok was expected to pave the way for stronger trade and customs cooperation and signal both sides' heightened political interest in each other. Earlier this year, British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said his country would exclude Burma from next year's Asia-Europe Meeting of heads of state in London because of its human rights record and alleged involvement in the drugs trade. [related excerpts] ----------------------------------------- REUTERS: ASIA-EUROPE MEETING MIGHT BE CANCELLED OVER BURMA November 13, 1997 BRUSSELS, Nov 13 (Reuters) - "The ASEAN stance is non-discriminating, so when EU comes in one bloc ASEAN won't drop one of its member from the meeting," Suraphong Jayanama, spokesman for the Thai ministry of foreign affairs, told Reuters. "Thailand, which acted as ASEAN's messenger, has already onpassed the messages to the EU," Surapong said. In Manila, the Philippines backed Burma's right to sit at the meeting in Bangkok and said it was up to the EU to decide if they would attend or not. "That's up to them...Our (ASEAN's) decision is to go through with the meeting," Philippine foreign under-secretary and incoming ASEAN Secretary-General, Rodolfo Severino, told Reuters. "We feel that nobody should discriminate between ASEAN countries when it comes to dealing with ASEAN as a whole," he said. Severino said ASEAN had not received any word from the EU that it would not attend the Bangkok meeting. "You and I know they have problems with Myanmar (Burma) so this is why it is necessary (for ASEAN) to take this position," Severino said. "The position that the EU seems to be taking...seems to be very highly political in nature so we just have to take a stand on it," he said. -------------------------------- BKK POST: FURTHER TALKS LIKELY AFTER RELATIONS SOUR November 14, 1997 Bhanravee Tansubhapol Rangoon's status sore point for both sides The Association of Southeast Asean Nations will meet, probably in Vancouver, to resolve its row with the European Union following its decision to cancel talks in Bangkok next week due to disagreement over Burma, a Foreign Ministry official said yesterday. Wiboon Kusakul, director of the Information Department, said the Joint Asean-EU Cooperation Committee meeting could be held in late February if the dispute was settled. Senior Asean officials may meet in Vancouver during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting from November 19 to 25, he added. *************************************** REUTERS: BURMA MILITARY STOPS SUU KYI FROM LEAVING HOME November 13, 1997 RANGOON, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was prevented from leaving her Rangoon home on Thursday by barbed wire barricades, forcing her to miss a party gathering in a nearby township, party members and witnesses said. Her National League for Democracy Party (NLD) protested strongly to Burma's military government for barring her way. Witnesses and party members said senior NLD members were also not allowed to pass through the barbed wire -- put up by traffic police -- to enter Suu Kyi's home. "Aung San Suu Kyi was supposed to have gone to Hlaing township NLD office at 8.30 to carry out matters concerning organisation of the youth," the NLD's executive central committee said in a statement. Hlaing is about 11 km (seven miles) north of Rangoon. "The NLD, ever since its formation has never damaged the peace and tranquillity of the community by its activities... as accused by the authorities,. Therefore, the NLD strongly protests against the actions by the authorities," the statement added. The ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) declined to comment on the incident but said through a spokesman it would issue a statement later. Suu Kyi, who was freed from six years of house arrest in July 1995, held a political gathering outside Rangoon on October 23 without SLORC interference. But the junta has foiled a number of subsequent attempts to hold meetings outside Rangoon. SLORC said last week the authorities would only allow NLD party gatherings if they were inside the compound of Suu Kyi's residence. NLD won a landslide victory in 1990 election but SLORC ignored the result and refused to hand over power. The SLORC and NLD have been at loggerheads since then. The authorities have curbed the party's political activities and detained and later freed thousands of its members and supporters. ******************************************* SLORC: INFORMATION SHEET No.A-0209(I), No.A-0206(I), No.A-0207(I/L), No.A-0208(I/L) From: OKKAR66127@AOL.COM [extracts] INFORMATION SHEET No.A-0209(I) Date. 14-11-97 (1) Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces of Indonesia Arrives on Goodwill Visit At the invitation of Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Indonesia General Feisal Tanjung and wife and delegation arrived Yangon by special flight at 11:30 am on 13 November to pay a goodwill visit to Myanmar. In the evening, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye and wife hosted dinner in honour of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Indonesia General Feisal Tanjung and wife and delegation members at Zeya Thiri Beikman on Konemyinttha, Yangon. ------------------------ INFORMATION SHEET No.A-0206(I) Date. 13-11-97 (1) Communications Sector Advances to Packet Switching Packet switching of the Mayangon Computer Communication Exchange of the Ministry of Communications, Post and Telegraphs was inaugurated at the above exchange on 12 November attended by Secretary-2 of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo. First, Minister U Soe Tha delivered an address. Noting that the computer communications system was the first to be introduced in Myanmar and adding, the system is being used in a considerable number of nations in the world. With the inauguration of the new system, he said, Myanmar too can now use computer communication system through contacts at home and abroad. Data could be sent and received through computer network, Electronic Mail or E Mail will also be put to use. The minister noted that governments, embassies, international organizations, foreign investors, oil exploration firms, gems mining companies, airlines, hoteliers, banking services and private enterprises will have access to the data communication service or computer communication service, adding they would be able to do business speedily and efficiently. (2) LPDR Politburo Member and Delegation Arrive Member of the Political Bureau Central Committee President of Lao National Construction Front Mr Oudon Khathiya and delegation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic arrived Yangon by air at 6:45 pm on 12 November at the invitation of Minister for Religious Affairs Lt-Gen Myo Nyunt. OFFICE CALLS IN YANGON ON 12 NOVEMBER (B) Vice-Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye received goodwill delegation led by Commander of Lanzhou Military Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Liu Jingsong and members at Zeya Thiri Beikman on Konmyinttha, Yangon. -------------------- INFORMATION SHEET No.A-0207(I/L) Date. 13-11-97 Mrs Aris' Destabilization of Tranquility of the Nation Daw Su Kyi and members of the NLD went to the NLD office of Hlaing Township on 13 November to conduct Youth Movement. She gave the task of organizing this Youth Movement Programme to NLD Hlaing Township Chairman U Myint Than. NLD Yangon Division prepared the letter regarding the Youth Movement and send it to the Hlaing Township Law and Order Restoration Council. But U Myint Than (Chairman of NLD Hlaing Township) replied to Daw Su Kyi stating that it is not appropriate to organize the Youth Movement now and it should be conducted only after the National Day which falls on the 24 November. However, NLD Central Executive Member U Soe Myint pressured U Myint Than and forced him to materialize the movement.. U Myint Than explained the fact that it is impossible and this action would confront the authorities concerned. U Myint Than also added that this movement would also destabilize the ward society and confuse the problem, so that he cannot perform such acts that possess no political dignity, it is learnt. However, the intimation letter for the Youth Movement in the NLD office of Hlaing Township has been sent to the Township Law and Order Restoration Council. At 2 pm the responsible personnel of NLD Hlaing Township have been legally called and briefed by the Township Law and Order Restoration Council official informing them it is not allowed to conduct the organization movement. Then, Deputy Chairman of NLD, Hlaing Township U Hla Myint has reported the order of rejection of Township Law and Order Restoration Council to NLD Head Quarters at 3 pm. U Myint Than himself, the owner of the house has also refused to allow this movement. On account of this force of pressure and weightage U Myint Than has resigned from the post of Chairman of NLD, Hlaing Township and also the party-membership and the resignation letter has been sent to NLD Head Quarters on the very early morning of 13 November, it is learnt. U Aung Shwe and U Tin Oo arrived at her residence at 8:15 am on 13 November and after 5-minute-talk with her left the residence. Then, Daw Su Kyi left her house by car. On her departure the security officer enquired her out-going place but Daw Su Kyi replied rudely that it is not necessary and he can stay behind if he does and left her house. So the security personnel concerned have not opened the gate and the University Avenue Road remained closed as before. Simultaneously, about 40/50 members of NLD party have assembled with cars at the facade of the NLD office, Yangon Division and Daw Su Kyi has left her residence without telling anything about her whereabouts of out-going to the on-close-security personnel. Close and careful observation of the movement activities clearly revealed the underlying ulterior motive and plan to proceed with a huge crowd in a convoy of cars to disrupt the peace and tranquility in the city. Such a situation cannot be tolerated or condoned, thus to prevent further aggravation of the problem, the University Avenue has been sealed off and Daw Su Kyi requested not to proceed to the NLD office, where a large number of cars and people have gathered. In spite of the courteous request she has refused to comply and as a gesture of protest she refused to get out of the car, it is learnt. ---------------------- INFORMATION SHEET No.A-0208(I/L) Date. 13-11-97 Follow up Information of Information Sheet A. 0207(I/L) 13 Nov. At 0830 hrs, Daw Suu Kyi left her residence to proceed to Hlaing Township. But University Avenue had initially been closed to the traffic. So Daw Suu Kyi's car also was not permitted to proceed. Daw Suu Kyi however declined to inform security personnel on duty as to her destination, and from 0830 onwards had her car parked on the road and remained seated in it. The place where her car was parked was only a short distance away from her residence and she could easily have returned to her compound to wait there and explained matters to security personnel to resolve the situation. But refusing to take this positive line of action, she insisted on remaining in her car. It is evident that she herself therefore was deliberately creating hardship for herself. It is also obvious, that this was just a ruse on her part to make it appear as if the Government were deliberately obstructing her movements in order to create misunderstanding internationally, and thus discredit the Government. Therefore, it is clear that Daw Suu Kyi's actions are part of a devious political ploy, prompted by ill intentions with the purpose of bringing about a confrontation with the government. *********************** BKK POST: RELEASED PRISONERS TALK OF TERRIBLE JAIL November 14, 1997 [slightly abridged] Aphaluck Bhatiasevi Inmates forced to lie in their own faeces Drinking water was often green "I will never return to work as a fisherman again, never in Burmese waters. That was the worst experience of my life." For one fisherman just released from Insein Prison his time inside will be something he will quickly want to forget. "Although I've never been imprisoned in Thailand, I've heard that they at least get proper food, live in clean rooms and can go to the toilet any time," said Phem Phimphu, 28, from Roi Et. He said at Insein almost 100 people were crammed into a poorly-ventilated narrow room with few windows. "The room was very stuffy and at night we had to sleep sideways, in four rows, head-to-head and feet-to feet," said Mr Phem. Dirt and dust were everywhere. "Many of us suffered from diarrhoea and we couldn't go to the toilet hut had to use tins, even when we were vomiting," said Mr Phem, who was imprisoned for eight months. "I can't imagine how I survived in that smelly and dusty room where we sometimes had to even sleep on the mess." Berm Mana-ngam, 33, from Khon Kaen, said the only food they got was soup, soybean curry and rice, with the same dishes being repeated every day. "I only ate my food when I was really hungry because often I would find worms and all sorts of things in the soup. The water we got to drink was often green," he said. Mr Berm was imprisoned for almost 20 months for trying to illegally catch fish in Burmese waters bordering Ranong. Though he knew it was illegal he did it to earn extra cash. "We could hardly catch any fish in our waters. On the other hand, in Burma, we got all sorts of good quality seafood," he said. He managed to evade Burmese authorities on several occasions and never thought he would end up being jailed. "Initially, when I was told that I had been sentenced to five years, I felt like killing myself..The conditions there were really bad ... it's like living in another world," he said. Mr Berm said he often cried and felt helpless because he was not allowed to contact his wife and two children, aged eight and six. He could not understand why Burma treated prisoners whose offences were not so bad so severely. There was also a lack of medical care and many fell ill. "Whenever they came to vaccinate us, four or five people would sit at their desks with injections and we had to line up in rows. They injected us with the same needles one after another," said Mr Berm. Many were told not to talk about their prison ordeal for fear that it will affect the release chances of some 100 remaining Thais. "I don't know if we're supposed to talk about such things, but we want our government to pay more attention to Thais caught abroad. We should at least be treated like human beings," said Mr Phem. Whereas Thailand treated illegal Burmese immigrants fairly, he said the reverse was not true. [related excerpts] ----------------------------------- BKK POST: TESTS SHOW RETURNING INMATES IN POOR HEALTH November 13, 1997 Public Health Deputy Permanent Secretary Vinai Viriyakijja said six fishermen had severe tuberculosis, two suspected HIV carriers were admitted to Bamrasnaradura Hospital, and results for malaria, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases would be available soon. Twenty-eight former inmates had respiratory infections, 17 skin diseases, 14 bone and joint problems, and two high blood pressure. Only 28 were in good health. Dr Vinai said most were in weak condition, probably due to malnutrition. The authorities declined to say publicly if the illnesses were the result of harsh prison conditions for fear that other jailed Thais will not be released. However, sources concerned at the prospect of continued neglect confirmed that this was the case. ********************************************* THE ASIAN AGE (NEW DELHI): CLINTON TO MEET ASEAN LEADERS November 13 1997 Manila, Nov. 12: US President Bill Clinton is to meet with a group of South-East Asian leaders in Canada later this month to discuss the financial turmoil besetting their economies, Philippine foreign secretary Domingo Siazon said Wednesday. The meeting with the Association of South-East Asian Nations leaders should be held over breakfast on the sidelines of the November 24-25 summit of the Asian-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum in Vancouver, Mr Siazon told reporters here. "President Clinton has indicated that he would like to have a breakfast with the Asean leaders," he said. The Filipino official said ASEAN expects the US leader to discuss "how to deal with this particular currency turbulence, and of course to reassure South-East Asia that in the eyes of the United States of America, South-East Asia is important as a major economic partner." The meeting has been tentatively set for November 24, he added. Asean groups, Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as Burma and Laos. (AFP) *************************************** NLM: EDITORIAL: MRCS WILL BECOME A DEPENDABLE FORCE November 7, 1997 [abridged] Arrangements are being made to expand the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) as a consolidated national reserve force to be able to undertake national development tasks and bring peace and tranquillity to the country. Red Cross brigades are to be expanded right down to the village level in the organizational pattern of the Fire Brigade and Myanmar Police Force. It would be necessary to reorganize the MRCS to become a consolidated force with emphasis on systematic organization of different levels of MRCS and Red Cross brigades to be ready for emergencies, said Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt during his meeting with MRCS Central Council members the other day. The State Law and Order Restoration Council is making arrangements to assign heavier responsibilities to all the Red Cross members including MRCS personnel to ensure that Red Cross services better contribute towards the policies and national objectives. All are aware the Government is striving for the emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation on self-reliance. At the same time some Western nations desirous of dictating and manipulating the country are attempting to hinder development and endeavours for the fulfilment of national objectives. This being the case, the Government is striving to strengthen internal forces to enable them to effectively participate in nation-building endeavours. The administrative machinery of the State is being activated starting from the basic level while the way is paved for the government departments and non-governmental organizations to work together in implementation of national development projects. It is high time the different levels of MRCS and Red Cross brigades are organized to become a consolidated force capable of discharging nation-building tasks dutifully. All internal forces and reserve forces including MRCS are to be organized to deter and crush internal and external destructive elements and ensure peace and tranquillity. ***************************************** THE NATION: EU, ASEAN RISKING IT ALL OVER BURMA November 13, 1997 Kavi Chongkittavorn Asean's relationship with its oldest dialogue partner, the European Union, is hanging by a thread, due mainly to Burma's controversial participation in the Joint Asean-EU Cooperation Committee meeting next week. At the senior officials meeting in Manila last week, Asean took a strong position that the EU should apply the same format used when Vietnam participated as an observer before it signed a protocol to accede to the 1980 Asean-EU Cooperation Agreement. Singapore and Malaysia have been adamant that the EU must treat Asean members on a non-discriminatory basis and that any deviation from this principle is unacceptable. In short, Burma must be allowed to sit in on the meeting as an observer. They have also suggested that Asean hit back at the EU, and if push comes to shove Asean can withdraw the courtesy the group has been according to the EU Commission's delegation at the annual Asean Regional Forum (ARF) as well as the Post Ministerial Conference. Although Thailand as host and the Philippines as Asean chairman might not feel that strong, they, nonetheless, have supported the Asean position in general. At the first ARF meeting in Bangkok, Thailand agreed to provide an extra seat to the EU Commission as "a courtesy". This has since become standard practice - that the EU Commission representative has a seat at the ARF in addition to the EU foreign minister. Asean argued that when Brunei and Vietnam joined Asean they attended the Asean-EU meeting as observers. Some Bangkok-based EU diplomats pointed out that unlike Burma, the two countries did not have a record of repeated human rights violations and suppression of democracy. Furthermore, there were no outstanding issues between the EU and those two countries, nor was there a ban on their officials travelling to EU member nations, as is the case with Burma. Permanent Foreign Secretary Saroj Chavanaviraj said Burma and Laos will be attending the meeting as observers and their presence will be mentioned in the press release. Like Vietnam. Laos is expected to sign a protocol soon to accede to the 1980 Asean-EU Economic Cooperation Agreement. It is also interesting to note that Laos has not yet acceded to the protocol for the Asean-EU agreement even though it is eligible to do. Instead, it has chosen to be identified along with Burma, but has not explicitly made its position known. This may stem from the camaraderie that exists between these two countries. Apparently, Asean's strong position was a calculated move in the hope that the EU might back down or postpone the meeting, scheduled for Nov 17 to 19. In response, an EU Commission spokesman in Brussels said yesterday that the EU will resist any attempt to introduce Burma to next week's forum. The question is which side will blink first. One has to keep in mind that this is not the first time Asean and the EU have confronted each other over specific political issues. They have clashed over the issue of East Timor, which has already attracted a toll on their otherwise excellent relations. They two sides did not sign a new economic cooperation agreement in July because of the objections of one EU member, Portugal. Back in May 1991, the Burmese issue was first raised by the EU at their ninth ministerial meeting with Asean in Luxembourg. This caught the group off guard as they did not have any common position on Burma. Now with Burma as a member, Asean is taking a tough stand against the EU. Asean views the Asean-EU meeting as a bloc-to-bloc meeting. To improve Asean-EU relations, German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel, who served as EU president in the second half of 1994, agreed to meet Asean half-way by not discussing controversial issues including Burma and human rights. That set the precedent for Asean and the EU's burgeoning friendship, which later led to the Asia-Europe Meeting, (Asem). Yet Asean's threat to withdraw the EU commission's seat could further split EU members,- who have failed to reach a consensus over the European grouping's refusal to allow Burma at the meeting. However, this incident could leave a bad page in the annals of Asean-EU relations as some EU members; notably Scandinavian members, are not very happy with any EU leniency in dealing with Burma. Their position has toughened followed the death of Leo Nichols, their honorary consul, in June last year. However, other EU members feel that Burma should be allowed to attend the meeting without any conditions attached. Even though next week's meeting is at director-general level, the unresolved issue of Burmese participation and the Asean threat will have far reaching repercussions for future Asean-EU cooperation and Asem. Strange as it may seem, though, the threat might receive a sympathetic, hearing from some EU members, in particular France and Britain. These, two countries have repeatedly expressed a strong desire to attend the ARF separately as members of the United Nations Security Council. Asean has rejected their overtures on the grounds that the EU already has too many representatives in the various Asean forums. Finally, Asean is hoping that the Burmese junta will demonstrate some goodwill towards opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in the near future by initiating a dialogue for national reconciliation, which has been asked for by the grouping and the international community. Thailand believes a positive sign from Rangoon now would help Asean -and provide further justification for next week's meeting to follow the procedure used when dealing with Vietnam. ************************************************ BKK POST: TIMES CHANGE BUT NOT SLORC November 13, 1997 The new administration has a good opportunity to redefine the nature of our relationship with Burma, by which it is meant the population of the country and the State Law and Order Restoration Council. The opportunity that presents itself, like so many, results from the odd behaviour of the previous government. It is, however, there to be taken. To the consternation of many, Prachuab Chaiyasarn, the former foreign minister, took it upon himself to invite representatives of the State Law and Order Restoration Council to talks next week between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the European Union. What prompted Mr Prachuab to include as observers representatives of a dictatorship widely viewed as repugnant we may never know. What is certain is that Mr Prachuab has pulled off a stunt that should ensure him a mention in any list of diplomatic blunders. Mr Prachuab's mistake was to invite Slorc to join the cooperation talks without regard for the fact that the Europeans decided nine years ago they preferred to keep Slorc at arm's length because of its tendencies towards violence and oppression. As foreign minister, Mr Prachuab should have been aware of any change in the position of the 15-member European grouping. There was none, but Mr Prachuab decided there should be one, and so the invitation was extended regardless. The Europeans have made clear they are not impressed with the prospect of being compelled to be nice to representatives of a thuggish regime, particularly since they had no say in the matter. What was to have been a convivial get-together of old friends is shaping up as a gathering punctuated by squirming embarrassment. Mr Prachuab's contribution appears to be in accordance with the unstated policy towards Burma of Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, the former prime minister. On taking office 11 long months ago, it may be recalled, that Gen Chavalit said, in so many words, that it was time Slorc behaved in a manner that conformed with international standards of decency, that its actions belonged to the past. As someone with personal relations with SLORC higher-ups, Gen Chavalit promised to deliver the message. It was to be the first of many such promises. Nothing of the sort happened, of course, and Gen Chavalit and his top associates -took on the manner of love struck teenagers whenever Slorc wandered along. Slorc, it seemed, could do no wrong. During Thailand's one-sided courtship, Slorc sent the following across the border: refugees, narcotics, occupation troops and state-backed bandits. The Chavalit administration was one which bent over backwards to appease Slorc and work against the interests of Aung San Suu Kyi and others who were mandated by the oppressed people of Burma to be their leaders. Mr Prachuab's extraordinary invitation, issued, incidentally, in Rangoon, where he had been a guest of Slorc, provides the basis from which we should reassess relations with Slorc. This year, the junta became a member of Asean, which had insisted that inclusion the culmination of its policy of so-called constructive engagement would right all wrongs and alert the dictators to the errors of their ways. Last Sunday, Ms Suu Kyi was allowed to leave her Rangoon home for the first time in almost a week so she could attend a memorial service to Maung Ko, a member of her National League for Democracy, who died in Insein prison seven years ago. While she was confined to her home, where she had been under house arrest from 1989 to 1995, riot police barricaded an NLD office to prevent a youth wing meeting. Times change but Slorc does not. ****************************************** BKK POST: WORK BEGINS ON KEY PHASE OF PIPELINE November 14, 1997 Chakrit Ridmontri Warning of threat to fauna, flora renewed The Petroleum Authority of Thailand has begun laying its gas pipeline on the section that passes through the Kanchanaburi forest. Work started after a local committee monitoring the project agreed with the PTT's environmental mitigation plan. However, a local conservation group warned that the move would have dire consequences for the forest and wildlife. It said the plan had yet to clearly identify the environmental impact of the project and lacked proper measures to control constructors. Bulldozers have cleared forest on some of the first 50 kilometres of the gas pipeline route from I-tong village in Kanchanaburi's Thong Pha Phum district to Pa Huey forest in Sai Yok district. At l-tong, PTT will connect to the Burmese section which will supply gas from the Yadana and Yetagun fields in the Andaman Sea. The National Environment Board approved the project's environmental impact assessment study early this year on condition that construction work on this 50-km route be completed within a single dry season to reduce the impact on the forest and wildlife. Moreover, a local committee had to be set up to monitor construction work. The committee chaired by Kanchanaburi Governor Khwanchai Wasawong endorsed the PTT's environmental mitigation plan last week, one month after the cabinet approved the PTT's request to start laying the pipeline through Sai Yok national park. Songkiert Tansamrit, PTT director of public relations, said only six kilometres of pipeline would cross lush forest. He said about 600 rai of forest and almost 5,000 big trees would be affected. However, not all the trees would be axed; some would be transplanted. The PTT will clear only a 12-metre corridor, instead of-20 metres, along the forest route to ensure as little damage as possible. Construction workers- would be strictly controlled to ensure they do not harm the environment. Artificial salt licks will also be created to lure wild elephants away from the pipe route . A team of wildlife experts, mostly from the Forestry Department and Kasetsart University, will monitor the impact on wild animals and deal with any stray animals found at the construction site, he said. "With these measures, I can ensure that the gas pipeline laying activity through the forests will not harm wildlife or its habitat," Mr Songkiert said. He was convinced that the committee's working groups on the social and environmental impact would play a leading role in keeping an eye on the PTT's contractor. ********************************************** BURMA BUERO: LUFTHANSA UPDATE November 13, 1997 From: burmabuero@netcologne.de Our recent report on the activities of Lufthansa Service Gesellschaft Holding AG (LSG) in Rangoon has led to some confusion. People who wrote to Lufthansa in order to protest against the opening of an LSG catering centre at Rangoon International Airport received the answer that Lufthansa had no plans for a centre of the kind. The reason for these contradictory pieces of information is simple: Lufthansa Airlines and LSG are two different companies that are only very losely connected. So while Lufthansa Airlines have no intention of opening a catering centre in Rangoon, LSG definitely have. Works on the new centre are due to begin within the next couple of weeks. It is absolutely vital that you keep on protesting against this project! Please send your letters to: Lufthansa Service Gesellschaft Holding AG, Ms. Ina Breitsprecher, Dornhof 40, D-63263 Neu-Isenburg, Germany or fax them to ++49-6102-722506. Dagmar Puh Burma Buero, Germany ************************************ BURMANET SUBJECT-MATTER RESOURCE LIST BurmaNet regularly receives enquiries on a number of different topics related to Burma. If you have questions on any of the following subjects, please direct email to the following volunteer coordinators, who will either answer your question or try to put you in contact with someone who can: Campus activism: zni@students.wisc.edu Boycott campaigns: ai268@freenet.carleton.ca Buddhism: Buddhist Relief Mission: brelief@gol.com Chin history/culture: [volunteer temporarily away] Fonts: tom@cs.colgate.edu High School Activism: [volunteer needed] History of Burma: zni@students.wisc.edu International Affairs: Julien Moe: moe@interport.net Kachin history/culture: 74750.1267@compuserve.com Karen history/culture: Karen Historical Society: 102113.2571@Compuserve.com Mon history/culture: [volunteer needed] Naga history/culture: Wungram Shishak: z954001@oats.farm.niu.edu Burma-India border Aung San Myint: aungsan@giasd101.vsnl.net.in Pali literature: "Palmleaf": c/o burmanet@igc.apc.org Pipeline Campaign freeburma@irn.org Premier Oil UK bagp@gn.apc.org Resettlement info: refugee_help@mail.serve.com Rakhaing (Arakan) history/culture Kyaw Tha Hla:thisthis@nyc.pipeline.com Rohingya culture volunteer needed Shan history/culture: Sao Hpa Han: burma@ix.netcom.com Shareholder activism: simon_billenness@mail.cybercom.net Teak Boycott Tim Keating: relief@igc.org Total - France Dawn Star: cd@utopia.EUnet.fr Tourism campaigns: bagp@gn.apc.org volunteering: refugee_help@mail.serve.com World Wide Web: FreeBurma@POBox.com Yetagun Oilfield bagp@gn.apc.org Geographical Contacts: Massachusetts simon_billenness@mail.cybercom.net [Feel free to suggest more areas of coverage] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FREE BURMA WEB PAGES: http://FreeBurma.org This single page serves only as an easy to remember URL and departure point to resources promoting the establishment of democracy in Burma. Please write to FreeBurma@pobox.com to add a site or for further information." - Glen, system administrator FREE BURMA COALITION: to get involved in the Free Burma Coalition, send a message to: zni@students.wisc.edu or visit their homepage, accessible through: http:// FreeBurma.org There is also an e-mail list-server especially for Free Burma activists ************************************************** BURMANET SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: The BurmaNet News is an electronic newspaper covering Burma. Articles from newspapers, magazines, newsletters, the wire services and the Internet as well as original material are published. It is produced with the support of the Burma Information Group (B.I.G) and the Research Department of the ABSDF. We are also grateful to many other friends around the world who send us articles to post. The BurmaNet News is e-mailed directly to subscribers and is also distributed via the soc.culture.burma and seasia-l mailing lists. 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