In
Their Own Words
Looking at Burma's Political Culture - Interviews with
U Aung Naing, U Tint Zaw, U Maung Maung,
U Soe Thinn, U Aung Zaw, Saw Kapi & Anonyomous
Life
Under Military Rule
In Brief
Burma Around The World
Briefing and Developments
Inside Washington
Busines Watch
SPDC Speaks
Media Resources
Voices of Burma
Ethnic Views
Burma Around The World
NEW YORK, NY
- A panel discussion entitled "Building Civil Society in Asia: Challenges and
Prospects for Resolving Ethnic Conflict" featured Sidney Jones of Human Rights
Watch, David Thakerbaw of the National Coalition Government of the Union of
Burma, and Thomas McKenna from the University of Alabama. Asia Society and Open
Society Institute sponsored the October 24th event, which focused on Indonesia,
Burma and the Philippines. Yeshua Moser-Puangsuwan, a Landmine Monitor researcher
and the Southeast Asia coordinator of Nonviolence International, gave a briefing
on the state of landmine pollution in Burma, landmine use by armed groups in
Burma and on its borders, and their impact on prospects for peace in Burma.
The UN Church Center hosted the July 6 event, sponsored by the Burma UN Service
office, Quaker UN Office, and Open Society Institute. (Moser-Puangsuwan also
gave a briefing at the Washington Roundtable on June 26.)
The New York Roundtable holds periodic meetings of organizations and individuals
interested in Burma. For more information contact the Burma UN Service Office
by phone: (212) 338-0048 or fax: (212) 338-0049.
WASHINGTON, DC
- Upon return from his mission to Burma and the region, Ambassador Tan Sri Razali
Ismail, the United Nations Special Envoy to Myanmar, spoke at an October 20th
breakfast briefing, hosted by The Asia Foundation and the Asia Studies Program
of the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. US Charge d'Affairs
in Rangoon, Priscilla Clapp, was the featured speaker at the August 9 Washington
Roundtable. Ms. Clapp briefed the audience on the latest developments inside
the country.
The Washington Roundtable is co-sponsored by Human Rights Watch/Asia, Jesuit
Refugee Service, U.S. Committee for Refugees, and Refugees International. For
more information contact Refugees International by phone: (202) 828-0110 or
fax: (202) 828-0819.
MADISON, WI
- Dr. Christina Fink, an anthropologist and author of the upcoming book Living
Silence: Burma Under Military Rule, spoke at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
on July 25 about the militarization of Burma and the current health problems
that face the Burmese people. For more information about the University of Wisconsin's
Southeast Asia programs, contact mgrow@smtp.fammed.wisc.edu.
LOS ANGELES, CA
- The Burma Forum of Los Angeles meets on the first Wednesday of every month
to discuss various ongoing campaigns. For more information contact: Heidi Quante
by phone: (323) 653-4571 or email: bfla@freeburma.org.
SEATTLE, WA
- The Burma Interest Group is a non-partisan forum attended by representatives
of NGOs, business, academia, and other interested parties that meets monthly
to discuss Burma-related topics. For more information contact Larry Dohrs by
phone: (206) 784-5742 or fax: (206) 784-8150.
PORTLAND, OR
- For more information about the Burma Action Committee contact Jensine Larsen
by phone: (503) 239-7726 or email: jensine@hevanet.com.
NEW ENGLAND
- The New England Burma Roundtable is an informal group of individuals and organizations
working to promote human rights and democracy in Burma. Meetings are held the
second Monday of every month. For information contact Simon Billenness of Trillium
Asset Management by phone: (617) 423-6655 Ext. 225, fax: (617) 482-6179, or
email: sbillenness@trilliuminvest.com.
PHILADELPHIA, PA
- The Philadelphia Roundtable hosts a monthly activity. For more information
contact Dan Orzech by phone: (610) 650-7755 or email: orzech@well.com.
CANADA - The
July Burma Roundtable in Toronto focused on the campaign to encourage Suzuki
and Wal-Mart to stop their business activities in Burma. The Toronto Burma Roundtable
meets monthly to discuss issues relating to Burma and plan educational and political
events. For more information contact Elizabeth Shepherd by phone: (416) 465-3458
or email: mandalay@sprint.ca.
LONDON - Britain-Burma
Society hosted Martin Smith, Burma scholar and author of Insurgency and the
Politics of Ethnicity, at a June 27th presentation, entitled "Border Minorities
Revisited." Mr. Smith examined the continued fighting in border areas of Burma
despite several cease-fire agreements. The Britain-Burma Society meets seven
times per year, focusing on cultural and historical issues and academic exchange.
For more information contact Derek Brooke-Wavell by phone: 44-118-947-6874,
fax: 44-118-954-6201, or e-mail: d.wavell@ntlworld.com.
NETHERLANDS
- The Netherlands Burma Roundtable is held once every two months with the goal
of updating organizations and individuals on current events and activities surrounding
Burma. For more information contact The Burma Centre Netherlands by phone: 31-20-671-69-52
or by fax: 31-20-671-35-13.
Briefings and Developments
UN OFFICIALS VISIT BURMA
Special Envoy to the UN Secretary-General Razali Ismail, who returned to Burma
on the 9th through the 12th of October to undertake his second mission, met
with General Than Shwe, Major General Khin Nyunt, Foreign Minister Win Aung,
and other government and military figures, as well as Aung San Suu Kyi and members
of the National League for Democracy. While the objective of the mission was
to initiate dialogue in an effort towards national reconciliation, Razali also
discussed the possibility of increased UN humanitarian aid, particularly to
salve the country's growing health problems, in his conferences with both the
government and Suu Kyi.
ILO TO SANCTION MILITARY
REGIME
In an action unprecedented in International Labour Organization (ILO) history,
the organization agreed to sanction Burma's junta for its failure to adhere
to ILO regulations on the use of forced labor. During a November 17th meeting
in Geneva, the ILO Governing Body found the military regime's attempts at reform
to be "too little, too late." Only four nations, Malaysia, Russia, China and
India, voiced opposition to the governing body's decision to implement sanctions,
as spelled out in an earlier ILO resolution, beginning November 30th. The regime
meanwhile stated that it "totally and categorically rejects the governing body
resolution...[and] will cease to cooperate with the [ILO] in relation to the
ILO Convention 29 [on forced and compulsory labor]." The ILO is the oldest of
the UN organizations and is composed of government, employer and worker representatives
from the 174 member nations.
SUU KYI, NLD TRAVEL EFFORTS
MET BY JUNTA AGGRESSION
The face-off between the junta and NLD forces continues as the SPDC persists
in its restriction of the freedom of movement and association of Aung San Suu
Kyi, U Aung Shwe and other NLD members. The confrontation, which began on August
24th when the military police prevented Suu Kyi and fourteen NLD leaders from
leaving Rangoon, resulted in a nine-day standoff. Military police ended the
stalemate when they forcibly removed Suu Kyi and others, confined them to their
homes and denied them telephone access and diplomatic contact. The conflict
resumed on September 21st when Suu Kyi and other NLD members attempted to purchase
train tickets to Mandalay. Military police hauled them from the train station,
removing U Tin Oo to Ye Mon prison and confining Suu Kyi to her home. More than
100 party supporters were detained in Insein prison. Suu Kyi and NLD executive
committee members remain under house arrest in Rangoon.
Inside Washington
U.S. POLITICAL PARTIES
REGISTER SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRACY
Leading up to the 2000 presidential elections, both the Republican
and Democratic parties weighed in with their positions vis-a-vis Burma. Amidst
the detailing of the party's foreign policy, the Republican National Convention
platform description noted, "The Republican party is committed to democracy
in Burma, and to Aung San Suu Kyi and to working with our allies in Europe and
Asia to maintain a firm and resolute opposition to the military junta in Rangoon."
GOP presidential and vice presidential candidates Governor George W. Bush and
former defense secretary Richard Cheney elaborated on their party's platform,
stating, "Advocacy of human freedom...is a fundamental commitment of our country....
[We] view free trade as an important ally in what Ronald Reagan called Ôa forward
strategy for freedom.'" On September 2nd, U.S. Vice President and Democrat presidential
candidate Al Gore registered his outrage at the treatment of Aung San Suu Kyi
during the standoff, declaring, "Denying [her] this right is an offense to free
people everywhere." Gore commented further, "Each day that the Burmese authorities
restrain Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's isolation from the international community
deepens," calling for the immediate end of the suspension of her "basic human
rights." This followed an August 25th statement by the Clinton Administration
that condemned the Burmese military for its treatment of the National League
for Democracy and its leadership.
US CONGRESS PASSES RESOLUTION ON BURMA
In July, the Senate passed a resolution in recognition of the 10th anniversary
of the 1990 elections deploring the junta's human rights abuses and reaffirming
congressional support for Aung San Suu Kyi, the National League for Democracy
and the Committee Representing the People's Parliament. Declaring Burma's "urgent
need to improve the democratic and human rights of the people," the resolution
went on to list the human rights violations committed by the SPDC. The resolution
concluded that the U.S. Government should support the accession of NLD to power,
sustain the placing of political pressure on the SPDC to end human rights violations
and not only to continue to level economic and political sanctions against Burma,
but to pursue multilateral support for the sanctions. The resolution, which
was introduced by Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY) and Senator Mitch McConnell
(R-KY), passed the Senate on July 19. A House version passed on September 21st.
Business Watch
UNOCAL FORCED LABOR
CASE DISMISSED
In his September 1st ruling, Federal District Judge Ronald Lew determined that
Unocal is not liable for its indirect employment of forced labor in the construction
of a pipeline in Burma, reported the Washington Post. The claim, which was made
by 15 Burmese villagers, sought to penalize the California-based oil company
for human rights abuses abroad. Despite finding that "the evidence does suggest
that Unocal knew that forced labor was being utilized and that the Joint Ventures
[Unocal, Total SA and the Burmese government] benefited from the practice,"
Lew dismissed the case, maintaining that his court lacked the jurisdiction to
rule. In his decision, Lew referred to documents authored by Unocal consultants
that observed "egregious human rights violations" in southern Burma, including
the rampant use of forced labor and forcible relocations in the pipeline area.
Unocal lawyers maintain the company's innocence - not merely their ignorance
- insisting that no forced labor was employed. The plaintiffs will appeal.
U.S. LABOR CALLS FOR ZERO IMPORTS FROM BURMA
In response to the most recent crackdown on the National League for Democracy
and democratic activity by the Burmese regime, the American Federation of Labor
and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) appealed to President Clinton
to establish a "zero" quota on all textile and apparel products imported from
Burma. In a September 18th letter to Clinton, AFL-CIO president John Sweeney
pointed to the Burmese government's repressive grip on the labor force as the
source of the low, non-competitive prices of textile imports, and subsequently,
the 272% increase from 1995 to 1999 in the importation of apparel products manufactured
in Burma. Data also indicates highly unbalanced trade relations between the
U.S. and Burma as an outcome of dramatically increased U.S. imports of Burmese
goods accompanied by decreased exports.
CHINA AND BURMA COLLABORATE IN CONSTRUCTION DEALS
A Chinese construction outfit finalized a deal with SPDC Public Works in late
July to provide steel trusses and project supervision for the building of a
long-span bridge on the Irrawaddy River, as reported by the Myanmar Times. The
China National Construction and Agricultural Machinery Import Export Corporation
has teamed up before with Public Works, having erected three other bridges in
Burma. According to a September 19th Xinhua News article, the Export-Import
Bank of China (known as Eximbank) has cemented a deal with Burma's government-run
electric power company to build a massive power station. The 120 million US
dollar loan allows for the Yunnan Machinery and Equipment Import and Export
Company (YMEC) to supply equipment for the construction of the Panlang Hydroelectric
Station, which, when completed, will have a generating capacity of 280,000 kilowatts
and will supply one-third of the electricity supplied to Burma. The project
is China's largest export of hydroelectric equipment to Southeast Asian countries,
as well as Yunnan's largest foreign trade deal.
SWITZERLAND, LIECHTENSTEIN SANCTION JUNTA
On October 2nd, the Swiss government announced its plans to impose sanctions
on Burma, with Liechtenstein following suit on October 12th. The Swiss decision,
which was created in accordance with the European Union resolution against the
Burmese junta, will freeze bank accounts belonging to Burmese government personnel,
ban the export of arms to Burma, banish all members of the military attached
to Burma's diplomatic missions in Switzerland and suspend all non-humanitarian
aid. Liechtenstein has adopted similar measures including the freezing of junta
assets and a plan to stop supplying equipment to the Burmese military.
SPDC Speaks
"Democracy! Human rights!...
What hypocracy [sic]! What irony!" by U Myo Chit
Excerpts from the article that appeared in the September 6, 2000 issue of
The New Light of Myanmar
At this moment while Suu Kyi, enthroned as Democracy Princess and glorified
by [sic] a Nobel Laureate, is practicing self-mortification on the windy, rainy
Dalla shore opposite to Yangon, a brilliant scientist by the name of Wen Ho
Lee of Taiwan is pining away for freedom being dumped unceremoniously in a dungeon
somewhere in America, for a framed-up change [sic] without permitting [sic]
bail.
Lee, now 60, hailed from Taiwan; trained in nuclear physics, left his native
country many years ago, he left his homeland for America, the Great Democratic
country, full of trust and hope. After thorough meticulous security check with
complete investigation of his background developments and associations, he was
employed in a highly secretive scientific assignment at Los Alamos, where he
had rendered loyal service to his adopted country. Then, in the wake of news
about security lapses in his place of employment and glaring eases of negligence
[sic] of security in the State Department ruled over by Suu Kyi's great mentor
Madeleine Albright, Lee was rudely pulled away from his office by FBI agents
who clapped him suddenly in solitary confinement. He has been there for eight
solid months with not a single Human Watch Organization [sic] nor a statesman
or politician from any country, taking the slightest notice about him nor [sic]
raising the slightest voice of protest for the inhuman treatment meted out to
poor Lee of Taiwan. There he still remains unnoticed, uncured for, miserably
bemoaning his blind faith in the great democratic country which vociferously
preaches democracy without practicing what it teaches.
In contrast to the fate of poor Lee, as soon as the news of Suu Kyi blared forth
from the symphoniously [sic] orchestrated broadcasting stations of the CIA,
myriad's of democracy frogs brought up and fed by the neo-colonialist the world
over [sic], croaked and shrieked in unison with these lie factories in protest
to Myanmar government's restriction to Suu Kyi and her followers journeying
to an outlying area for sinister purposes. Unlike the case of Lee, there was
no arrest, no solitary confinement; they are in the wide open field, beside
the highway, in view of the public. They pitched up their own tent, going back
to Dalla and bringing back bamboo and plastic sheets. Yangon City Development
Committee, with great foresight, provides them with a mobile lavatory for their
convenience. There are plenty of food shops, with fruits, drinks, beverages
galore. As a matter of fact, I believe that Suu Kyi is immensely enjoying the
great publicity she has received and basking in the glow of warm lime light
spotted gratis [sic] on her.
During the last few days, a dumb nitwit from VOA tried to make derogatory remarks
about Myanmar government's claim that the Myanmar country is completely peaceful,
that it is utterly safe for everyone to travel everywhere they like, night or
day, in the cities, in the country along the high-ways and bridge being constructed,
repaired throughout the country and yet when his Democracy leader Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi made her way out of Yangon, she was stopped just on the other side of
the river, and prevented from proceeding any further. The Government's action,
he derided, was to keep her out of harm's way, to assure security for her. How
equivocal, how ambiguous was the government claim, he gloated. "On the one hand,"
he screeched, "Myanmar government claims perfect security and peacefulness throughout
the country; on the other hand, they maintain that they have to restrict her
movements for security reasons...how equivocal, how ambiguous!" While listening
to such howls of sarcasm against the far-sighted action of the tolerant government,
a few lines from a poem of the late famous Sayagyi Thakhin Kodaw Hmine flashed
past my mind. Thakhin Hmine warned "Min-do-nyam Amyin-ta-mite- Ta-htwar-hmya-ye
Hnint Nyin-bo-than-lyin Mite-yar-kya-bar-leint" (With you harebrained mind,
if you try to involve in [an] argument with me, you will only prove to be an
utter fool yourself).
How can this harebrained nitwit screeching from VOA howling post, fathom the
deep foresight of our leaders who have taken the required precautionary measures
for the safety of Suu Kyi and in the long run, the security of the whole country[?]
Media Resources
LANDMINE MONITOR 2000
REPORT ON BURMA
By Landmine Monitor September, 2000 http://www.icbl.org
Phone: 202-547-2667 lm@icbl.org
This report, conducted as an extension of the International Campaign to Ban
Landmines, describes the various facets of landmine use in Burma, the only ASEAN
country purported to continue production and use of anti-personnel landmines.
Probing the complexity of the issue, this report gives a broad overview of the
landmine crisis, including official SPDC landmine policy, Tatmadaw and ethnic
militia warfare tactics, as well as survivor assistance initiatives.
SEXUALITY, REPRODUCTIVE
HEALTH AND VIOLENCE: EXPERIENCES OF MIGRANTS FROM BURMA IN THAILAND
By Therese Caouette, Kritaya Archavanitkul, and Hnin Hnin Pyne
June 2000 Institute for Population and Social Research,
Mahidol University at Salaya Puttamonthom 4 Road,
Nakhonprathom 73170 Thailand
This report surveys the health concerns of Burmese migrants in Thailand, focusing
particularly on those of Burmese migrant women. The authors approach the topic
from a variety of angles, giving detailed profiles of migrant demographics,
health care options, experiences with violence, exposure to health education,
and sexual behavior. The study also captures individual perceptions through
its presentation of personal accounts.
BURMA: MORE WOMEN'S VOICES
Edited by the Thanakha Team
The Thanakha Team
Altsean-Burma Secretariat
c/o Forum-Asia
109 Suthisarnwinishai Rd. Samsennok Huaykwang
Bangkok, 10320 Thailand
Phone: 662-275-1811
Fax: 662-693-4515
June 2000 This collection - which comes as a response to its forerunner, Burma:
Voices of Women in the Struggle - explores the experiences of women in the
fight for democracy in Burma. The personal accounts within range from intimately
personal narratives to researched expository diatribes, from abstract poetry
to incisive reportage. This book is available in Burmese and English.
BURMESE REFUGEES IN BANGLADESH:
STILL NO DURABLE SOLUTION And LIVING IN LIMBO: BURMESE ROHINGYAS IN MALAYSIA
By Human Rights Watch
May and August 2000
Human Rights Watch
350 Fifth Ave 34th Floor
New York, NY 10118-3299
http://www.hrw.org
These two reports ponder the volatile situation for Rohingya refugees both in
Bangladesh and in Malaysia, many of whom either live in camps or reside illegally
in these countries. The authors consider the role of UNHCR in securing refugee
status for Rohingya people, as well as scrutinizing the issue of Rohingya citizenship
within the framework of international law.
CULTURAL SURVIVAL QUARTERLY
(FALL 2000 ISSUE)
Edited by Deidre d'Entremont
215 Prospect St.
Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone: 617-441-5407
The Fall 2000 issue of CSQ focuses on Burma with articles such as: "Burma's
Ethnic Politics," an anthropological analysis of ethnic minority rights, "Double
Jeopardy," a discussion of violations against Burmese ethnic minority women,
and "A Village on Fire," which details the devastation of village life in southeastern
Burma. CSQ is published by Cultural Survival, an international human rights
organization for Indigenous Peoples and ethnic minorities.
IRRAWADDY ONLINE
www.irrawaddy.org
Irrawaddy Publishing Group
P.O. Box 242
Chiang Mai University Post Office
Chiang Mai 50200 Thailand
waddy@cm.ksc.co.th
The recent online extension of this publication offers an accessible interactive
alternative to the hard copy. In addition to the selection of current Irawaddy
articles, this site features an article archive, book review, links page, search
engine, and an extensive photo gallery.
Voices Of Burma
Interview with U Tin
Oo, Vice Chairman of the National League for Democracy.
Excerpts from an interview conducted and broadcast by Radio Free Asia (RFA)
on September 14, 2000. Transcribed and translated by RFA, it appears here with
their permission.
RFA: Could you recount the details of how you and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and party
members were brought back from Dallah?
UTO: I was in the car with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, she was sleeping in the rear
seat and I was sleeping in the front seat. At about 11:45 pm we heard a commotion
outside, people shouting at one another. It was between the young people who
were looking after us and the SPDC security forces. The security forces must
have been about 200 persons strong. There were noises which sounded like fighting
and hitting. After a while, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was pulled out of the car,
someone grabbed her by her armpits and dragged her from the car. She protested
saying "What are you doing?" "This is very rude"
RFA: Was she dragged out of the car by the security forces?
UTO: Yes. But I did not know at that time because it was dark. It was during
the commotion. I could hear her shouting, "What are you doing? Don't do this,
don't treat me in this rude manner". Later she was carried away. When I realized
what was happening, I tried to go after her but then I was carried away by the
security forces. They carried us to the street and put me in a car and locked
the doors. I kept on asking about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and they said that she
was in another car. After waiting for about an hour, we were driven to the jetty
and across the river. I told them that when General Aung San was the supreme
commander of the armed forces I was one of his commanders and that it was my
responsibility to protect the daughter of General Aung San. That it was my responsibility
to accompany Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to ensure that she gets home safely. They
said that they understood, but didn't do anything. We were taken across the
river by a military Z-craft and when we arrived on the Rangoon side of the river
they took Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in a separate car and took us to our respective
houses.
RFA: We have heard that the NLD headquarters was raided and papers and documents
were taken away by the military authorities. In light of statements issued by
the SPDC and comments given in the foreign press, is it possible that the SPDC
will accuse the NLD of conspiring to commit terrorist activities against the
government?
UTO: ... Initially we calculated that this time it seems that the military government
was going to go all the way in looking for whatever reasons [it could find]
to declare the NLD illegal. They were writing in their newspapers and their
leaders were saying that all internal and external agents who are trying to
destroy the country and all 'axe handles' (lackeys) will be completely annihilated.
So we calculated that this time they were going to close down the NLD. But,
as I heard during the time we were under house arrest, the leaders of the international
community are now quite strongly supporting our democratic forces. This includes
calling for the government to permit Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to move about and
organize freely, and to start negotiations. We have heard that the international
community is increasing its pressure. For example, at the Millennium Summit,
President Clinton in his speech, which lasted only five minutes, devoted about
one minute to talking about how force was used on us (by the SPDC). Also, the
British Prime Minister mentioned us in his speech, as did the UN Secretary-General.
Additionally, countries such as South Korea and Australia have made comments.
Just today I heard that the UN Secretary General Mr. Kofi Annan met with Foreign
Minister U Win Aung and urged him to start negotiations with Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi and let her move about freely. So maybe they changed their minds. I really
cannot say.
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Ethnic Views
NCUB STATEMENT ON RESTRICTION
OF MOVEMENT OF THE ELECTED POLITICAL PARTY
This statement was issued by the National Coalition of the Union of Burma (NCUB),
an organization representing various ethnic nationalities, on August 26, 2000.
... We call on the international community to support the political rights of
the National League for Democracy (NLD) and to fully acknowledge the abuse of
those rights by the military regime, confirmed again today. The recent cooperation
of some countries with the regime only lends legitimacy to their acts of abuse
and further supports the repression of political and civil rights in the country.
We call on all countries to refuse to work hand-in-hand with this dictatorship
and to reconsider support and investment at this time. The refusal to allow
the elected political party of Burma to travel even 32 kms outside of Rangoon
demonstrates yet again the utter repression of political and civil rights in
the country. Although Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was supposedly released five years
ago from the house-arrest imposed after the land-slide victory of the NLD in
1990, she and her party face continual harassment and restriction of their right
to carry out their political duties. NLD members are forced to resign on a daily
basis, several hundred are detained, their families are harassed. The SPDC (the
State Peace and Development Council) rule by fear and force. Forced labor and
forced relocation are the chosen means to so-called development of the country.
The rights of opposition parties are severely limited, the rights of the people
are continually abused. But the fear the regime generates also reverberates
through their ranks, and their action in forbidding the movement of Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi illustrates their fear that the support of the people lies with
her party. Consequently, they must do everything in their power to keep her
away from her people. We urge the international community to strongly condemn
such actions and to call for the right of the people to representative political
parties.
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