German minister cancels Burma trip (r)

[a2639408@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Re: German minister cancels Burma trip

Attention: Ken and Visakha Kawasaki

Dear friends,

The Burma Bereau/Germany would like to express its gratitude for your 
instant action bringing the above positive news on the BurmaNet. Our 
Bureau was unable to bring out this news in time. We are yet pleased to 
comfirm this news and would like to add following points:

+German Minister for Economic Cooperation, Carl-Dieter Spranger belongs 
 to the Christian Socialist Union (CSU) party, which is a coalition of 
 the ruling CDU (Christian Democrat Union) party.
+The Minister has had prior agreement with the SLORC before his visit 
 that he will be able to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi.
+In March 1995 German Deputy Foreign Minister Helmut Schaefer had broken 
 off his Burma visit after an e'clat.
+Germany had been one of the biggest foreign aid donors to Burma prior to 
 the bloody crackdown of the democratic movement in 1988.

Sincerely,

Nwe Aung / The Burma Bureau - Germany, Feb.11,1996.  
   

On 10 Feb 1996 brelief@xxxxxxx wrote:

> From: brelief@xxxxxxx (Ken and Visakha Kawasaki)
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> Asahi Evening News
> February 10, 1996
> 
> GERMAN MINISTER CANCELS BURMA TRIP
> 
> Bonn -- German's development minister canceled a trip to
> Burma after the military government forbade him from meeting
> with activist Aung San Suu Kyi, officials said Friday.
> 
> Burmese authorities said Development Minister Carl Dieter
> Spranger could meet with either officials of the military
> government or with Suu Kyi -- but not both, the ministry said.
> 
> Spranger canceled the visit, set for next week, because he felt
> the choice would damage his commitment to human rights, the
> ministry said, adding that the ultimatum would harm Burma's
> attempt to strengthen ties with the West.
> 
> Spranger said he regretted canceling his visit, "which had
> become a sign that the Asian country was returning tot he
> community of peace -  and freedom -  loving nations."
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