------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------ "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" ---------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: November 19, 1997 Issue #871 HEADLINES: ========== BKK POST: REFUGEES: KAREN NGO URGES ACTION OVER DEATHS THE HINDU: MYANMAR JUNTA GIVES SHAPE TO 'REFORMS' THE NATION: FOREIGN MINISTRY REACTS CAUTIOUSLY NATION: TIME WILL TELL WHETHER NAME CHANGE IS FOR REAL ASAHI EVENING NEWS: TIME TO CHANGE TOKYO'S STANCE XINHUA: MYANMAR TO IMPLEMENT ASEAN DRUG CONTROL CHIN NATIONAL FRONT: 2nd GENERAL CONFERENCE STATEMENT OCAW: WORKERS AT ARCO SPEAKING OUT FOR DEMOCRACY PRESS RELEASE: COLLEGE OF THE ATLANTIC REJECTS ACER BKK POST: LETTER - THE ‘TRUTH’ BEHIND TIANANMEN OVERSEAS ARAKAN YOUTH ASSOCIATION: GENERAL MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT: EARTHRIGHTS INTERNATIONAL FUNDRAISER ANNOUNCEMENT: 'SPOTLIGHT ON BURMA' IN NEW ZEALAND -------------------------------------------------------------------------- BKK POST: REFUGEES: KAREN NGO URGES ACTION OVER DEATHS November 18, 1997 A Karen non-government organization has called on the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to take action against Thai officials over the deaths of two Karen refugees. The Karen Refugee Committee alleges a Thai border task force tried to repatriate some 1,000 Karens living in Ban Kui Lortor, about 80 km south of Umphang district, last Friday. When the refugees refused to cross the border the Thai officials fired shots to frighten the Karen. The sound of gunfire caused panic and the refugees managed to flee to safer areas. However, a 60-year-old and a new-born baby were trampled in the panic. Sources said the refugees are among 2,500 Karen who fled fighting in Burma to seek shelter in the border villages of Ban Lae Tongku, Kui Lortor and Tee Jorchee, about two kilometres from the border. Committee sources say local Thai officials issued an announcement on November 13 ordering the refugees to return to Burma within three days. ***************************************************** THE HINDU (NEW DELHI): MYANMAR JUNTA GIVES SHAPE TO 'REFORMS' November 17, 1997 [excerpts only] By V. Jayanth BANGKOK, Nov. 16. The ruling military junta in Myanmar has inducted new blood and redefined its focus for the next phase of reforms, giving shape to a three- tiered political and administrative- set-up that has emerged from the redesignation of the State Law and Order Restoration Council as the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). Thai sources say that it is significant to see that the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Energy, Science and Technology and Education, among others, have been retained in their positions to maintain some continuity in administrative affairs. Notable among the changes seems to be the dropping of the Minister who was also in charge of the National Convention that is drafting a new Constitution. This last change is seen here as a conscious attempt to present a different picture and possibly speed up the process of finalising the new Constitution that has been under preparation for about five years now. [related news] --------------------- THE NATION: HOPE, FEAR GREET 'NEW-LOOK' JUNTA November 17, 1997 Rangoon, AFP --A source from the main opposition National League for Democracy said the changes showed the junta appeared set on ensuring the military's dominance in politics. "From the way the SPDC was announced, with a statement saying it was heading towards democracy, it's clear they mean democracy guided by the military not general democracy," the source said in Rangoon. ************************************************* THE NATION: FOREIGN MINISTRY REACTS CAUTIOUSLY TO RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN BURMA November 18, 1997 THE Foreign Ministry yesterday reacted cautiously to the disbanding of Burma's State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc), which was renamed the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), as its top generals are still at the helm. Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan said that it was too early to issue a reaction and added that the ministry was closely watching the developments. ''So far, the real intention of dissolving Slorc is still not clear. Maybe they want to improve something," Surin said. Deputy Foreign Minister Sukhumbhand Paribatra said Burma should permit ''more constructive" development in the country in terms of democracy and human rights. Sukhumbhand, who is a well-known critic of Burma said that Thailand expected to see some positive improvement and development in the country. The replacement of Slorc came after the European Union opposed Burma's participation as an Asean member in an Asean-Europe meeting that was scheduled for this week, forcing an indefinite postponement by both sides. The two ministers were speaking after paying respect to the founding father of diplomacy before beginning their first day at the ministry. Meanwhile, a senior Foreign Ministry source said that the change of name from Slorc to SPDC was designed to test international reaction and particularly that of the Asean grouping of which it is a member. The source said that Burma was aware that it was the centre of controversy for causing the postponement of the Asean-Europe meeting, and therefore it was trying to minimise the impact by offering a positive sign to the world community. The source said Slorc was aware that Thailand was now administered by Chuan Leekpai, who is known for being a strong supporter of democracy and respect for human rights. ''Therefore, Rangoon wanted to show that it has taken a positive step in the democratisation process and in solving its negative human rights record," the source said adding that Thailand should welcome the development in Burma, as both countries were in the same Asean grouping. The source said that the grouping had always insisted on continuing its policy of constructive engagement in the expectation that it would restore democracy in Burma. ****************************************************** THE NATION: TIME WILL TELL WHETHER NAME CHANGE IS FOR REAL November 18, 1997 Regional Perspective By Kavi Chongkittavorn To many, last week's announcement that the State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc) was dissolving itself and being replaced by a new ruling body called the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) came as a surprise. But for those who follow Burmese politics, the exercise was very much a calculated move to appease Asean and the international community so as to boost its sagging image and consolidate the regime's power base. It is also aimed at domestic consumption, the projection that Slorc has changed after joining Asean and is ready to move forward and open up the country a bit, just like its close neighbours ­ China and Vietnam. In addition, the name change is also indicative of the Rangoon regime's readiness to proceed, albeit at its own pace, to engage the opposition National League of Democracy. But it is still too early to tell how far and how fast the regime would like to proceed in allowing the NLD a role to move Burma towards democracy. It is not surprising that the Slorc dissolution should come at this moment, two days after the European Union's refusal to allow the Burmese delegates to attend the Asean-EU Joint Cooperation Council, scheduled to be held in Bangkok this week. The stand-off between EU and Asean eventually led to the indefinite postponement of the meeting. The unexpected cancellation must have sent shock waves through Asean's capitals. It appears that the EU is willing to stand firm on its principle of not recognising the pariah state. Thus, it is no wonder that Slorc realised it has to change. The name change also coincides with the news report on the human rights situation in Burma which was submitted to the UN General Assembly last week by the Special Rapporteur to the Commission on Human Rights, Rajsoomer Lallah. The report said that there has not been any improvement in human rights in Burma over the past year. In addition, the junta's reorganisation came at the time of the newly installed Thai government ­ from the pro-Slorc Chavalit Yongchaiyudh government to a liberal government of Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai. Chuan had irked the Burmese military junta during his premiership in 1992-95 by allowing the visit to Thailand of a number of Nobel laureates to campaign for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. Chuan's response to this new development inside Burma will also demonstrate how the two countries will interact with one another in the future. The SPDC consists of the commanders of Burma's 15 military regions, nine of whom are younger leaders and the top four generals in the previous military council. This new arrangement is expected to consolidate the power base of the junta's chairman, Than Shwe, army chief Maung Aye, military intelligence chief Khin Nyunt and army chief of staff Tin Oo. Guided democracy The new line-up will see to it that so-called ''disciplined democracy" is implemented, as the junta is planning to promulgate the new constitution early next year. ''Disciplined democracy" is a code name for democracy guided by the military, something similar to the ''guided democracy" in Indonesia. Since the military junta leaders clashed with democratically-inspired students in 1988, they have always argued that it would need time to restore law and order, especially to deal with the armed ethnic minorities which comprise 35 per cent of the 44-million population. Now with only the National Karen Union remaining as the sole hold-out, the junta is confident the ethnic minorities have been sufficiently neutralised. According to Rangoon-based diplomats, the junta's latest move is in line with the so-called three-step approach, which is aimed at marginalising the pro-democratic elements and the defiant Karen rebels. Foreign dignitaries visiting Rangoon in the last few weeks were briefed on the strategy. The first step, they said, will focus on initial contact between Slorc and the targeted groups, be they opposition politicians or minority groups. A case in point was the controversial contact between the junta and the NLD last July. Later, the junta will move on to the second stage, an engagement period which will witness the beginning of regular dialogue with the rival groups. Several ethnic groups have gone through these stages, including those who have signed the peace agreement with the regime. Diplomats say the dialogue between the SPDC and NLD is entering this crucial stage, and increased engagement between the two groups could be expected, if everything goes well. The stage could be accelerated as the junta's leaders prepare for the scheduled informal Asean summit meeting in mid-December, which will also include leaders from China, Japan and South Korea. The final step will involve the intensification of the first two stages in order to ensure that the final conclusion of the plan will consolidate the dominance of the military in Burmese politics under the new draft constitution. The international community will soon find out if the junta's reorganisation is for real. One thing is certain. In the next few months, the junta must change for the better and improve its dismal human rights record. Otherwise, it will further harm its relations with Asean members as well as Asean's ties with the EU and the West. ******************************************************* ASAHI EVENING NEWS: TIME TO CHANGE TOKYO'S STANCE ON REFUGEES November 18, 1997 POINT OF VIEW Shogo Watanabe Special to Asahi Shimbun Fearing political persecution, a number of Burmese (Myanmarese) have fled to Japan since the 1988 coup d'etat staged by the country's present military regime. While campaigning for the democratization of their country in cooperation with their compatriots elsewhere abroad, they are seeking protection by the Japanese government as refugees. But none of them has been recognized as a refugee. "With no legal status guaranteed, I go through everyday life feeling like an exile," said an applicant for refugee status. I cannot forget his depressed look as he said this. The Burmese are not the only ones who suffer from this "close-the-door-against-refugees" policy. From 1982, when the refugee system was established, until last year, Japan accepted 210 political refugees, most of whom were Indo-Chinese refugees. During the past three years, this country has accepted only one refugee annually (not counting one who was recognized as a refugee in 1995 after a dispute about his status). Based on the unique view that the Japanese are a homogeneous nation the government's refugee policy appears to be geared toward "national border control." This approach, however, is contrary to international practice. Compared with European countries the number of refugees accepted by Japan is abnormally low. In 1994, Germany took in refugees by the tens of thousands, while France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium and Britain accepted them by the thousands. In addition to accepting dozens of refugees, Norway and Finland let in hundreds more under a special system which gives displaced people the right to stay in these countries temporarily for humanitarian reasons. In a speech in Tokyo in July, Sadako Ogata, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, noted that Japan accepted only one refugee last year and urged the Japanese government to open its doors wider. 'This is a figure for which we have no excuse to make to the world," she said. Not heeding the call, the government is becoming even more exclusionist against refugees. Applications for refugee status that have been filed for Burmese by a group of lawyers which includes myself have been turned down because of a legal provision that such applications must be filed within 60 days from the date of entry (or from when applicants qualify for refugee status after entry). Compared with other countries, it is unusual to turn down applications on grounds of a provision limiting the period of application alone. Even so, no applicant was held in custody until this August. Then a Burmese person I will call "M," whose appeal for a review of the government's original decision to reject his application for refugee status had been turned down, was taken into custody by the immigration authorities. The justice minister also rejected his request for a stay permit. Given the fact that M was tortured while he was under arrest or in detention back in Burma, he was amply qualified for refugee status. He became even more qualified when the military government, holding Burmese residents in Japan responsible for a bomb blast that took place in Rangoon (Yangon) in April, published M's name and photograph and claimed he was one of the parties involved. After being taken into custody, M filed a second application for refugee status. It was accepted at the end of Au gust. But despite supporting lawyers' efforts to have him paroled, M was still in custody as of Nov. 10. The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has recommended that governments should, in principle, not hold in custody applicants for a refugee status. Yet, the Japanese government, even after ratifying the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, refuses to follow the UNHCR recommendation. I find this approach to the refugee issue intolerable. In a 1997 report to the United Nations, the government said that since the refugee convention and the Protocol on the Status of Refugees came into effect for Japan in 1982, this country has been enforcing their provisions faithfully and strictly. If this is true, the government should make positive efforts to open the doors more wide for refugees. It is a certainty that when Burma becomes a democracy in the future people like M will play a prominent role. It is unthinkable that a country which does not offer protection to them now will be able to forge genuinely friendly relations with the future Burmese government. Besides working for Burmese residents in Japan as a lawyer, I also participate in grassroots activities to help them This is because I believe grassroots efforts of this sort are essential to help Burma democratize itself and induce the Japanese government to change its refugee policy. The author is a lawyer and secretary general of the People's Forum on Burma. ******************************************* XINHUA: MYANMAR TO IMPLEMENT ASEAN DRUG CONTROL PROJECT November 17, 1997 YANGON (Nov. 18) XINHUA - Myanmar is making preparations to act as a host in implementing ASEAN members' three-year narcotic drug control project individually and collectively. According to today's official newspaper The New Light of Myanmar, local medical officers are being trained on drug abuse surveillance and substance abuse management. The training also includes collecting data for demand reduction as well as statistics on drug addicts to support law enforcement bodies in demand reduction measures. The three-year ASEAN plan, which was worked out at the 18th meeting of ASEAN Senior Officials on Drug Matters (ASOD) in Bangkok in 1995, covers programs on education, treatment, rehabilitation, control, eradication and research. Myanmar last attended the 20th meeting of the ASOD in Brunei in August as a full-fledged member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). According to official statistics, there were 56,847 registered addicts in Myanmar in 1996. Of them, 62 percent are opium addicts, 29 percent heroin addicts and 9 percent addicted to other drugs. Six major drug treatment centers have been set up in the country covering Yangon, Mandalay, Myitkyina, Taunggyi, Lashio and Kengtung, the statistics showed. *************************************** CHIN NATIONAL FRONT: 2nd GENERAL CONFERENCE STATEMENT July 9, 1997 From: "Vum Son Suantak" THE STATEMENT OF THE SECOND GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHIN NATIONAL FRONT 1. The Second General Conference of the Chin National Front was held successfully at Victoria Camp in Chinland on June 20-July 8, 1997. A total of 65 participants, including Chin National Front delegates representing different regions and observers of Chin nationals from different countries attended the Conference. 2. The Conference was held with three objectives- the consolidation of the Chin National Front, which is the leading Chin national political party, the promotion of people's participation in the Chin national struggle, and the achievement of closer cooperation with the international community and the allied forces. 3. The Conference profoundly resolved to uphold and implement the agreement reached at the Ethnic Seminar held at Mae Tha Raw Hta on January 7-14, 1997 and to strengthen the unity with the fellow ethnic revolutionary forces. At the same time, in struggling to bring a complete end to the rule by the common enemy, the SLORC (State Law and Order Restoration Council) military clique, the Chin National Front resolved to continue the struggle by joining hands or through mutual support for each other with the democracy forces led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. 4. The cease-fire offered by the SLORC did not include political dialogue and hence it would not establish genuine peace in the country. Therefore, the Conference believed that the political problems being encountered today could only be solved through a Tripartite Dialogue called by the United Nations and supported by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. 5. The Second Party Conference laid down the following aims and objectives: I. To establish genuine democracy. In doing so, (a) to establish a Federal Union based on national states (b) to enshrine the right of secession of the national states in the Union Constitution (c) to form the Union Armed Forces with the national states providing an equal number of Armed Forces. II. to regain the right of self-determination of the Chin people. III. to further consolidate the unity and solidarity of all Chin nationals and the people of Chinland. IV. to safeguard peace, rule of law, justice and equality within the Chin national territory. V. to work together with the people of Chinland to promote the political, economic and social affairs, and the living standard of the Chin people as a whole. 6. In accordance with democratic practices, the second Conference of the Chin National Front elected, through secret ballots, the following Central Comrnittee members to lead the Chin National Front: Thomas Thang No Chairman Zing Cung Vice Chairman Benjamin Turing General Secretary Khua Uk Lian Joint General Secretary Sui Khar Member Thang Zen " That Ci " Ral Hnin " Paul Smith " Malsawmliana " Solomon " Sunny Ngun Awi " Kam Do Dal " Uk Lian Thang " Chan Hmung " July 9, 1997 Central Committee Chin National Front ************************************************** OCAW: WORKERS AT ARCO ACTING AND SPEAKING OUT FOR DEMOCRACY November 18, 1997 From: Members of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union (OCAW), who are employed at the major ARCO refinery in Los Angeles, have been circulating handbills and other education materials about ARCO's role in supporting the narco-regime in Burma. In addition, three OCAW members and ARCO employees have submitted a shareholders' resolution, similar to the one submitted last year to Unocal, which calls for an investigation of ARCO's ties to drug-money laundering. The headline of one handbill, circulated by OCAW members, was "Oil and Heroin, Do They Really Mix?" The line at the bottom of the handbill read, "We Don't Want To Be Known as (N)ARCO." Also, OCAW President Robert Wages wrote a letter on November 12, 1997 to ARCO Chairman and CEO Mike Bowlin in which he condemned ARCO's action in Australia to fire 312 union miners in central Queensland and replace them with scabs. Wages wrote, "This action, when coupled with your insistence of continuing to do business with the SLORC narco-regime in Burma, is reprehensible." "The veneer is being rapidly stripped from ARCO's so-called squeeky-clean image, and we don't like what we see," said Joe Drexler, OCAW Special Projects Director. ********************************************* PRESS RELEASE: COLLEGE OF THE ATLANTIC REJECTS ACER OVER BURMA November 18, 1997 For immediate release CONTACT: Rob Fish College of the Atlantic Social Environmental Action (207) 288-5015 (d), (207) 244-9353 (n) fish@ecology.coa.edu College of the Atlantic Sanctions Boycotts Acer Computers Over Burma Company's involvement with brutal military regime results in loss of $9,000 contract Bar Harbor, Maine. In the first application of a policy passed last winter, College of the Atlantic recently rejected a nine thousand dollar contract with the Taiwan based Acer Computer Company as a result of the company's dealings with the military government of Burma. The company will also be ineligible for bidding for the fifteen to twenty more computers the school will be purchasing later in the year. The "Burma Policy" was adopted last winter after students expressed concern over the increasing human rights violations in the country and relayed calls by Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the party that won the 1990 Burmese elections but was never allowed assume power, for the immediate withdrawal of international investment in Burma. The policy effectively bans the school from purchasing goods from companies that do business in Burma. According to College of the Atlantic President Steve Katona, Decisions about where to spend money are among the most direct messages that individuals and institutions send. In addition to procuring the goods or services needed, such decisions can support appropriate environmental or social goals or causes, reward preferred ways of conducting business or accomplish other desired actions." [passage giving background on Burma omitted] According to the Washington DC based Investor Responsibility Research Center, since 1996 Acer Computer Company has donated computers to the Burmese government and has been distributing computers in Burma through its authorized dealer Myanmar Computer Technology. "In a country where it's illegal to own a modem without a permit, Acer's presence only serves to maintain and support the status quo." declares Rob Fish, organizer for the campaign at College of the Atlantic, "The Burma selective purchasing policies seek to make it costly for companies, such as Acer, Mitsubishi, Best Western, ARCO, and Unocal, who by investing in the country are in essence cohorts with a brutal military government that is forcing people into slavery." In addition to College of the Atlantic, Seventeen U.S cities, one county and the state of Massachusetts have also answered Aung San Suu Kyi's call for an end to foreign investment. This type of law proved highly effective in bringing democracy to South Africa. The rapidly-growing number of selective purchasing laws concerning Burma have already persuaded a number of companies -- including Apple Computer, Eastman Kodak, Hewlett-Packard, Motorola, and Philips Electronics, PepsiCo and most recently Texaco-- to end their support of the military regime in Burma by withdrawing from that country. ******************************************* BKK POST: LETTER - THE ‘TRUTH’ BEHIND TIANANMEN November 18, 1997 A headline in Bangkok Post on November 3 reads "President Jiang hints Tiananmen ‘a mistake’. So why did he say that? The following is a fact that much of the world does not know about. From whom and from where did China get the idea to crack down on pro-democracy protesters on 1989 in Tiananmen Square, with hundreds, perhaps thousands, dying. · When protesters grouped in their thousands in Tiananmen Square, the Chinese central government did not know how to disperse those led by pro-democracy student demonstrators. · The Chinese central government or their representative asked the Burmese Embassy and the military attaché in Beijing how Slorc had controlled the same situation in 1988. · The suggestion from Burma, probably from Rangoon command, relayed through the Burma Embassy in China was to shoot the crowd. The fact came to light in a normal conversation involving the wife of the Burmese military attaché who was stationed in Beijing at the time. Upon her return to Burma after her husband’s stint of duty, the story was told to an inner friends and relatives. Friends who know call her "Ma Ma Aye". She is the eldest sister of U Aye Zaw Win (son-in-law of U Ne Win). President Jiang hinted (the crackdown at Tiananmen Square)was "a mistake" because the idea was from despots. Ma Ma Aye knows best. She is a lady who has spoken the truth all her life. She is well respected by friends and family who know her well. Forgive China for listening to despots. Forgive the late Gen Saw Maung. Forgive generals Than Shwe, Maung Aye and Khin Nyunt or Tin Oo. All followed the orders of one despot, someone who wants to make a good name before he dies. U Ne Win knows his mistakes. Will anyone forgive him? -- A True Storyteller ****************************************************** OVERSEAS ARAKAN YOUTH ASSOCIATION: THIRD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING November 16, 1997 From: KMMAung On 14th November, 1996 we, the Overseas Arakan Youth Association, held our third annual meeting in Mae Sot, Thailand, elected a new executive committee and advisory board, and resolved to continue to struggle to meet our aims and objectives. Our Executive Committee are; 1. K-Aye Maung Chairman 2. K-Sein Kyaw Myint Vice chairman 3. K-Kyaw Naing General Secretary 4. K-Than Win Joint General Secretary 5. K-Kyaw Tun Treasurer 6. K-Myo Minn Aung Treasurer & Coordinator. 7. K-Kyaw Soe Literature and culture 8. K-Lwun Thu Social Welfare 9. K-Maung Phyu Auditor Advisory Group are, K-Soe Naing Aung. K-Soe Nyint . K-Tin Aye. Aims and Objectives of OAYA. 1. To assist those who come to Thailand and suffer social problems. 2. To achieve unity and friendship among the Arakanese staying overseas. 3. To uplift Arakan history, literature, culture and language. 4. To maintain and develop our tradition . 5. To try to achieve unity with other ethnic youth from Burma. At that meeting also made the following decisions; We will set up one office in Mae Sot, Thailand. Last year we had no office for our organization so we had some difficulties. We will have a collection and documentation from inside Arakan, Burma. We will publish an Arakan Youth magazine biannually, including our history, art, literature, culture and traditions. We will publish a pamphlet every three months to educate Arakanese people on human rights, women rights and indigenous rights. We have to assist our people to ensure their survival. We need your support! Currently, we lack funds for our activities. We are attempting to get funding for our activities. If any persons or organization is interested in our activities, please contact the following address. Thank you very much for your attention. Coordinator P.O Box 21, Mae Sot, Tak 63110, Thailand. Tel/Fax C/O 66 55 532791 Email. Win5@loxinfo .co.th ****************************************** ANNOUNCEMENT: EARTHRIGHTS INTERNATIONAL HOLIDAY FUNDRAISER November 14, 1997 From: sbillenness@frdc.com NEW ENGLAND BURMA ROUNDTABLE Come to the EarthRights International Holiday Fundraiser, December 4! Due to the holidays, we have decided to skip the November New England Burma Roundtable, which had been planned for November 18. Instead we will round off our successful year on Thursday, December 4 with a Holiday Fundraiser for EarthRights International. Full details of the event are below. I hope to see you there! Simon Billenness * for the New England Burma Roundtable * Franklin Research & Development 711 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02111 (617) 423-6655 x 225 (617) 482-6179 fax sbillenness@frdc.com www.frdc.com///nebrt.html ======================================== EarthRights International - Holiday Fundraiser Come and support EarthRights International's work to protect human rights and the environment in Burma and Southeast Asia - and enjoy regional food, music and festivities Date: Thursday, December 4, 1997 Time: 6.00 to 8.30pm Place: First Parish Church, 3 Church Street, Harvard Square (on the corner of Church Street and Massachusetts Avenue, across from The Body Shop and the Harvard Square T stop) Beginning at 7pm, there will be a showing of rare slide pictures about human rights and environmental protection in Burma presented by EarthRights International's Directors Katharine Redford and Ka Hsaw Wa. About EarthRights International Earthrights International (ERI) is a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization working with the peoples of Southeast Asia to protect human rights and the environment and develop the rule of law. Because many of the region's human rights abuses arise out of natural resource development, ERI believes that human rights and environmentalism are inextricably linked and must be addressed together ERI depends on events like this - and your generous contributions - to support its work in Southeast Asia. Your tax-deductible donation will help ERI carry out its important programs. ------------------------------------ Please consider attending the EarthRights International Fundraiser as a: Sponsor: $25 Patron: $50 Benefactor $100 If you are unable to attend, please consider sending a tax-deductible donation to: EarthRights International, PO Box 2726, Arlington, VA 22202-0726 eri@igc.org Please make all checks payable to EarthRights International. EarthRights International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible in the United States. Thank you for your support! ********************************** ANNOUNCEMENT: 'SPOTLIGHT ON BURMA' IN NEW ZEALAND November 14, 1997 From: brelief@gol.com Pax Christi Presents: "Spotlight on Burma" St. Benedict's Library 1 St. Benedict's Street, Newton New Zealand Sunday, 30 November 1997 >From 11:30 am to 4 p.m. Paul Hitchfield and Paul Robertson have both visited the Thai/Burma Border and worked in Japan with groups trying to assist victims of continuing SLORC oppression, including refugees and those struggling for liberation. They will be assisted by Jonathon, a Burmese national, a videotape and photographs. All Welcome Shared Lunch Refreshments supplied Contacts: Paul Robertson 827-4503 or Paul Hitchfield 489-5642 *************************************