ABOUT THIS YEAR'S UNGA RESOLUTION

[uneoo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

/* Written 7 Dec 1:00pm 1997 by drunoo@xxxxxxxxxxxx in igc:reg.burma */
/* -------------" About 1997 UNGA Resolution "-------------- */

THIS YEAR'S UNGA RESOLUTION
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Some of our friends appears to be unhappy about some paragraph
in this year's UNGA resolution which welcoming SPDC/SLORC making
few concession etc. I certainly wouldn't disagree with the fact
that SPDC/SLORC, in any case, is undeserving of international
community's praise: everyone involved know well about SPDC/SLORC
 make concessions only when there is enough pressure.

Apart from that, this year's resolution seems to be  breaking-away
from a pattern of "business-as-usual" at the UN General Assembly. 
One noticeable point was the General Assembly's endorsement of all
recommendations by Human Rights Special Rapporteur (para. 13 of
Resolution A/C.3/52/L.63). When looking at Special Rapporteur's
recommendations itself, there is no "big-shots" (such as
recommending to send in-country human rights monitors, etc.)
Still, there are quite encouraging, a very fine and small
details of recommendations, that may proven to be practical
steps towards improvements of human rights situation in Burma.
Unfortunately, because the UN General Assembly is extremely 
conservative in its responses (Remember - it is the assembly of 
the world's governments), it is probable that a consensus 
resolution as such may goes only that far.

Inevitably, there remains two major concerns arising out of
current situation. Firstly, We are still unable to do anything
about diverting the monies from the sale of natural gas to
Thailand. The physical obstruction of operation of the pipeline
(especially, inside of the Burmese border) is not a good option: 
we should look into possible methods of delaying/blocking/diverting
the money flowing into SPDC/SLORC hand.

Secondly, the long standing issue of UNHCR protection of our
refugees in Thailand. It is vital that our refugees in Thailand
get a proper UNHCR attention: The Royal Thai Government has yet
to made an appropriate measure in this regards.

One thing the SPDC/SLORC should worry about is its continuing
stance  to deny Special Rapporteur visiting Burma. The Special
Rapporteur's visit to Burma has been put on hold for two years 
was on the record now and it amounts to non-cooperating with 
the United Nations in improving human rights. How much SPDC/SLORC 
will like to stand against Special Rapporteur visiting Burma 
remained to be seen.

With best regards, U Ne Oo.
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1. UN EASES UP ON BURMA
4.12.97/BANGKOK POST
NUSSARA SAWATSAWANG

LATEST 'CHASTISEMENT' CONDEMNED FOR LETTING UP N MILITARY JUNTA

The United Nations has toned down criticism of the human rights
situation in Burma in its annual resolution adopted at last
week's meeting in Sweden, an analyst said yesterday.

The resolution was adopted by consensus among the 31 member
states of the social, culture and humanitarian committee and will
be proposed for endorsement at the UN General-Assembly later this
month.

It became the seventh UN resolution on Burma since the military
government cracked down on the prodemocracy movement in 1988.

The analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the
resolution, unlike last year's, did not specify particular events
or actions of concern, although the overall message regarding the
"deteriorating" human rights situation and lack of progress
towards democratisation remained unchanged.

Last December's resolution cited an attack on opposition leader
Aung San Suu Kyi on November 9 and expressed concern over deaths
in custody, forced relocation and forced  labour.

The more exacting criticism stemmed from the death in a Rangoon
prison of James Leander Nichols, former honorary consul general
to Norway, Denmark, Switzerland and Finland.

Nichols had been charged with using telephones and fax machines
without official permission.

If endorsed, last week's 22-point draft resolution would again
state that the UN "deplores" the persistent violations of human
rights in the country, including extrajudicial and arbitrary
executions. the  killing of civilians. torture and death in
custody.

It expresses "grave concerns" at the closure of universities and
colleges since student demonstrations last December, the travel
restrictions imposed on Ms Suu Kyi and the continuing arrests of
members and supporters of her party, the National  League for
Democracy (NLD), as well as trade unionists and students.

But the resolution at the same time "welcomes" new contacts
between the government and political parties, in particular the
NLD, although regret is expressed at the failure of the military
junta to engage in substantive political dialogue with Ms Suu Kyi
and ethnic groups.

Canada, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Norway and the Netherlands
refused' to sponsor the resolution be, cause they thought it was
"not critical enough of military regimes' repressive behaviour
over the past 12 months", according to the National Coalition
'Government of the Union of Burma. 

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