Burma News Update No. 73

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Burma Project
Open Society Institute

Burma News Update No. 73
23 December 1998


Junta Constitution Near

A representative of Burma's military regime has stated that a new
constitution is near completion and that elections will follow its
adoption. Speaking in a BBC interview in Hanoi during a recent meeting
of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, General David Abel gave
no specific dates for passage of the new charter, which has been in the
drafting process for over six years. [The constitution being considered
by a National Convention tightly controlled by the junta gives the
military significant statutory powers in any future government. The
National League for Democracy withdrew from the Convention in November
1996--Ed.] Meanwhile, nearly two dozen groups opposed to Burma's military
regime concluded a meeting in a rebel-controlled area of Burma's Karen
State by endorsing a federal union and rejecting the current National
Convention, saying, "We do not recognise such a convention and deem it
unlawful and a sham."

"BBC World Service," 15 December; "Bangkok Post," 18 December



UN Plan Rejected?

Burma's state-run media has dismissed a United Nations proposal linking
political reforms, including beginning talks with the opposition NLD,  with
one 
billion dollars of humanitarian and development assistance. A commentary in 
the daily New Light of Myanmar said, "National objectives cannot be enticed 
and bought with the dollar.  To obey such condition is beneath one's
dignity" 
The newspaper charged that the UN is aimed at installing a bogodaw, or "wife

of a white alien," in power, a reference to democracy leader Daw Aung Suu
Kyi,
who is married to British academic Michael Aris. [Other reports indicated
that United Nations special envoy Alvaro de Soto would return to Burma
to promote the UN proposal early in 1999--Ed.]

Bangkok, "The Nation," 13 December



New Video Restrictions

Burma's military regime issued new rules requiring licensing of all
videocassette recorders and imposing new controls on the export and
transport of video tapes. The new regulations create a Video Censor
Board and Video Business Central Supervisory Committee. The revisions to
the Television and Video Law of July 1996 also requires licenses for all
satellite receivers. [Opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has
repeatedly sent video tape messages from Rangoon on such occasions as
International Human Rights Day. It is not clear whether the revised law
would criminalize such actions--Ed.]

Rangoon, "Xinhua News Agency," 15 December



Border Attacks Expected

Burma's army junta is expected to launch an intensive dry-season
offensive against Karen, Wa and Shan ethnic rebels along the Thai
frontier, according to senior Thai army officers. The junta's main
thrust is likely to be against the Karen National Union, which has been
battling for greater autonomy for over four decades. Reports from Shan
State say dozens of civilians have been murdered in recent army sweeps
that have again turned areas of the state into "free fire zones."

Bangkok Post, 18 December; "South China Morning Post," 15 December



Pinochet Lesson for Junta?

Some of Burma's ruling generals could face the same fate as former
Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, former Singapore Prime Minister Lee
Kuan Yew warned in an interview with CNN, saying, "They have seen what's
happened to General Pinochet. Some of the things some generals have done
in Burma may well put them into similar predicament." [Singapore has
been an important arms supplier to the Burmese junta, and its companies
are invested heavily there. In July, a UN human rights report warned
that human rights abuses in Burma are so extensive that there must be
political and legal responsibility at the highest level--Ed.]

Singapore, "Agence France Presse," 11 December



L.A. Enacts Burma Sanctions

America's second largest city passed local sanctions on 15 December that
bar any company doing business in Burma from receiving city contracts.
LA joins 22 other U.S., including the largest, New York, which have
already passed similar measures. The action was strongly opposed by the
Los Angeles-based oil giant UNOCAL, which is partner to Burma's military
junta in a billion dollar gas pipeline

Los Angeles, "Reuters," 15 December

Burma News Update and the Burma Project offer all our readers best wishes 
for the holiday season and a happy, healthy, prosperous, and peaceful 1999!