October 23, 1996 Issue #549* #2773 ●1996-10-23 ----------------------------------BurmaNet----------------------------- "Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies" --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The BurmaNet News: October 23, 1996 Issue #549 HEADLINES: ========== BURMANET APOLOGY: UPDATED BURMA WEB RESOURCES LIST FDL QUARTERLY: FDL-AP URGES U.S., JAPAN AND ASEAN STATE LEADERS TO PRESSURE BURMESE SLORC REGIME BKK POST: A GOOD-NEIGHBOUR POLICY FOR BURMA BBC: NEWSPAPER CASTIGATES US FOR INTERFERENCE IN BURMESE AFFAIRS, SUPPORTING SUU KYI: THE NATION: SUU KYI TO SPEAK AGAIN AS BARRIERS COME DOWN THE NATION: BURMESE TIES ON ELECTION AGENDA STATEMENT: MEETING WITH MISTUBISHI, ON BURMA XINHUA: FOREIGN INVESTMENT - HOTELS INCREASES IN MYANMAR AP: BURMESE STUDENTS REVOLT WITHERS THAILAND TIMES: LITTLE HONGKONG: FORBIDDEN CITY BBC: BOMBING SUSPECT IN ISRAEL, FACES DEPORTATION NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: EDITORIAL: "CRIME REDUCTION" --------------------------------------------------------------------------- BURMANET APOLOGY: UPDATED BURMA WEB RESOURCES LIST October 23, 1996 (NOTE: This is the updated version of the Burma web resources list, the previous list was incorrect) To make it easy, we would like to recommend that readers just remember one website: 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 [email protected] to add a site or for further information." - Glen, system administrator >From this site, you can access all other Burma webpages. If your page is not listed here, please contact the above address to get it listed. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- OTHER BURMA WEBSITES (most accessible through FreeBurma.org) Open Society Institute's Burma Project website: http://www.soros.org/burma/html Free Burma Website: general info, boycott info, reports: http://sunsite.unc.edu/freeburma Free Burma Coalition - current campaigns, how to get involved: http://danenet.wicip.org/fbc Euro-BurmaNet - news stories on Burma, boycott campaigns: http://www-uvi.eunet.fr/asia/euro-burma/ Burma and the US Congress Information Network: http://www.clark.net/pub/burmaus/ USIA - US government statements/laws regarding Burma: http://www.usia.gov/regional/ea/burma/burma.htm Australian gov/politics and intl news on Burma: http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/4474 Mon language and Mon people: http://www.centralnet.net/honsawatoi/Monland.html Shan resources and information: http://www.netcom.com/‾burma/tai/shan.html. general info on burma/travel to Burma: http://falcon.cc.ukans.edu:80/‾jrchien Ethics of trading with Burma, letters to corporations doing business in Burma: http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/3108/ Burmese Refugee Project, run by SloMSIC, IFMSA: http://www.sou.uni-lj.si/mp/slomsic/burma/burma.html SLORC homepage - tourist info, New Light of Myanmar: http://www.myanmar.com/ artistic and multimedia materials promoting democracy in Burma: http://users.imagiware.com/wtongue ordering videos about Burma: http://sunsite.unc.edu/freeburma/analoginfo.html to post your own info on Burma: http://sunsite.unc.edu/burma-bin/WebX BurmaNet News back issues: ftp://Sunsite.unc.edu/pub/academic/political-science/freeburma http://FreeBurma.org is the Burma information starting point. http://sunsite.unc.edu/freeburma/whatsnew.html See what's new http://sunsite.unc.edu/burma-bin/WebX -post your own info on the website (Note: There are many other websites which promote travel to Burma. They are not listed here) ***************************************************** FDL QUARTERLY: FDL-AP URGES U.S., JAPAN AND ASEAN STATE LEADERS TO PRESSURE BURMESE SLORC REGIME (Forum of Democratic Leaders in the Asia - Pacific Region) Summer 1996, Vol. 2, No.1 from [email protected] (abridged) By Phillip Pepper One of the FDL-AP's primary goals since its establishment has been to support developing democracies in the Asia-Pacific and has, in particular, been highly supportive of the democratic movement in Burma. Signature Campaign The FDL-AP has taken the initiative to collect signatures of 102 National Assembly members of the Republic of Korea, belonging to the National Congress for New Politics (NCNP) and the United Liberal Democrats (ULD). These 102 National Assembly members have signed a press statement, dated June 17, 1996, which stated the following points: one, urged the SLORC to improve its record on human rights abuses towards the members of the democratic opposition; two, criticized the SLORC for increasingly stringent and abusive laws and its unwillingness to follow the 1995 UN Resolution which guaranteed all Burmese to take part in the political process of Burma; three, criticized the SLORC for failing to respond to Madame Aung San Suu Kyi's constant requests to enter into a constructive dialogue with the democratic opposition; four, expressed concern that the SLORC regimes continuing violations could jeopardize regional stability, not simply for Burma, but for the entire ASEAN region as well. Further, this instability could damage economic development for Burma, as well as for neighboring countries. Finally, that there could be massive refugee problems from displaced Burmese citizens; five, urged the leaders of the ASEAN countries to take firm and concerted action, economically and politically, against the SLORC regime. A copy of this statement was also drafted and sent to General Than Shwe, Chairman of the SLORC. Further on June 18, 1996, Dr. Kim Daejung, Resident Co-President of the FDL-AP, has written letters to President Bill Clinton of the United States, Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto of Japan, and the heads of state in five ASEAN countries. The following are excerpts from his letter: Dr. Kim Dae-jung's Letter "I am very disturbed with the recent developments in Burma... The SLORC also passed new laws banning all Burmese from taking part in any political activities as well as the NLD from holding gatherings on the grounds that they obstruct the government sponsored National Convention's efforts to draft a constitution. The new laws mandate fines and prison terms ranging from 5 to 20 years to those found guilty. These series of actions taken by the SLORC violate the 1995 UN Resolution which guaranteed all Burmese to participate in the political process of the country. We deem this as a premeditated measure to destroy the opposition altogether. On the other hand, however, the action taken by the military regime proves the fact that the SLORC is extremely nervous and diffident, and not in control of the situation in Burma." "We are also concerned that the SLORC's actions create further instability in the country and seem to be heading toward a possible confrontation between the military regime and the democratic forces similar to that of 1988. In turn, this could jeopardize the regional stability which could inevitably have grave implications to its neighboring countries. There could be refugees; foreign investors could shy away from the country; international trade and the economic process could be seriously affected. In sum, the internal instability of Burma could turn into a major crisis which would cause regional instability and seriously damage economic cooperation and ties among ASEAN countries." "Therefore, I strongly call for ASEAN leaders to put collective and more assertive pressure on the SLORC to stop pursuing their strong arm tactics that would only lead to certain disaster, free all detained political prisoners and immediately begin a constructive dialogue with Madame Aung San Suu Kyi and other key political leaders with the goal of national reconciliation." Bangkok and Manila Conferences Further, two other action programs are in development at the FDLAP Seoul Secretariat. The first is a meeting in Bangkok, under the auspices of the FDL-AP Burma Commission, which will serve the following purposes: one, to express FDL-AP solidarity against the recent actions of Burma's military regime, the SLORC; two, to place pressure on the SLORC regime to enter into a constructive dialogue with the democratic opposition; three, to urge leaders and heads of state in ASEAN and neighboring countries to put political and economic pressures on the SLORC regime; and four, to create a framework for a future international conference in November for the purpose of supporting the democratic movement in Burma. The second initiative in development is the November conference whose central purpose is to invite high-level government and non-government persons to discuss various issues concerning the democratic movement in Burma, including the repercussions of the first NLD assembly by Madame Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, and how to halt constructive engagement in Burma from Burma's ASEAN neighbors. ********************************************************* BKK POST: A GOOD-NEIGHBOUR POLICY FOR BURMA Ocotber 22, 1996 Opinion & analysis The foreign minister of Malaysia began a visit to Rangoon on Sunday. He continues to work to bring Burma into Asean as soon as possible. The minister claimed that Burma is undemocratic because it is poor, and that if the region helps Burma to prosper, then democracy may follow. He has his priorities reversed. Malaysia's determination to rush Burma into Asean is starting to appear somewhat desperate. Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi now is urging fellow Asean members to help Burma boost