BURMA/REFORM[VOA]

[moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

DATE=11/27/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-242229
TITLE=BURMA / REFORM (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE WORLD BANK AND THE UNITED NATIONS ARE CONSIDERING A 
PLAN THAT WOULD OFFER BURMA CLOSE TO ONE-BILLION DOLLARS IN 
HUMANITARIAN AID IF THE COUNTRY'S MILITARY LEADERS OPEN A 
DIALOGUE WITH THE OPPOSITION.  V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS 
CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON HAS THE STORY.



TEXT:  THE SECRET NEGOTIATIONS WERE FIRST REPORTED BY THE 
INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE.  THE REPORT, OUT OF THE BURMESE 
CAPITAL RANGOON, SAYS TALKS BEGAN SEVERAL WEEKS AGO BETWEEN THE 
BURMESE MILITARY LEADERSHIP, OPPOSITION GROUPS, THE WORLD BANK 
AND THE UNITED NATIONS.  IT SAYS THE WORLD BANK AND THE UNITED 
NATIONS ARE OFFERING BURMA ONE BILLION DOLLARS IN FINANCIAL AND 
HUMANITARIAN AID IF THE GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION WILL WORK 
TOGETHER FOR POLITICAL REFORM.  THE MAIN CONDITION IS THAT THE 
GOVERNMENT DROP ITS LONGSTANDING REFUSAL TO HOLD A DIALOGUE WITH 
OPPOSITION LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI.

THE OFFER IS ALSO DESIGNED TO PROMOTE POLITICAL OPENNESS IN BURMA
BY BOOSTING THE COUNTRY'S ECONOMY AND CREATING CONDITIONS MORE 
OPEN TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD.

UNITED NATIONS SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD DESCRIBES THE REPORT AS 
HIGHLY SPECULATIVE, BUT DOES NOT SPECIFICALLY DENY NEGOTIATIONS 
HAVE TAKEN PLACE.  MR. ECKHARD SAYS U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI 
ANNAN IS CONCERNED ABOUT BURMA'S INTERNATIONAL ISOLATION.

                       /// ECKHARD ACT ///

         WHILE THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS OF MYANMAR (BURMA) 
         MUST BE OBTAINED ESSENTIALLY AMONGST THE PEOPLE OF THAT 
         COUNTRY, THE SECRETARY-GENERAL HAS OFTEN REPEATED HIS 
         CONCERN THAT A MEMBER OF THE UNITED NATIONS SHOULD BE SO
         ISOLATED FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND WOULD VERY
         MUCH HOPE TO ASSIST IN FINDING WAYS FOR MYANMAR TO 
         ADDRESS THE CONCERNS THAT HAVE LED TO THAT ISOLATION.  
         IN THAT EFFORT, HE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CONSULT CLOSELY
         WITH INTERESTED AND INFLUENTIAL GOVERNMENTS AND WITH 
         AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS OF THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM.

                         /// END ACT ///

THE OFFER COMES AT A TIME OF INCREASED TENSION BETWEEN BURMA'S 
MILITARY LEADERS AND THE OPPOSITION.  IF THE OFFER WERE ACCEPTED,
IT WOULD REQUIRE THE TWO SIDES TO WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER IN 
DETERMINING HOW TO SPEND THE MONEY.  DIPLOMATS SAY IT IS UNLIKELY
BURMA'S MILITARY LEADERSHIP WILL ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL IF IT GIVES 
TOO MUCH AUTHORITY TO AUNG SAN SUU KYI, WHO HAS SPENT MUCH OF THE
LAST DECADE UNDER HOUSE ARREST.  (SIGNED)

NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT

27-Nov-98 4:06 PM EST (2106 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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