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Burma News Update No. 75



Burma Project
Open Society Institute

Burma News Update No. 75
23 January 1998


NLD Sues Junta
   
The National League for Democracy (NLD) filed a legal complaint on 14
January against Burmese junta military intelligence chief Lieutenant
General Khin Nyunt, accusing the regime of "destroying" the
legally-registered party and using intimidation to compel its members to
resign. The complaint was in late December with  Myanmar Chief Justice
Aung Toe, but analysts say the NLD has no chance of even winning a
hearing for its arguments. A junta statement has dismissed the complaint
as a "symbolic gesture."  [Over 1000 NLD members of parliament and
officials have been detained for varying periods over the last months.
Many NLD chapters around Burma have been "voluntarily" dissolved,
according to junta statements-Ed.]

Rangoon, "Agence France Presse," 15 January



NLD Lawmaker Flees

An ethnic Mon elected member of parliament has fled to a border area
controlled by armed opponents of Burma's army junta to escape increased
repression, according to exile groups in Bangkok. Naing Thaung Shein of
the Mon National Democratic Front escaped after his party announced
support for demands by the National League for Democracy for the
convening of the parliament elected in 1990. Opposition sources say
Naing Thaung Shein's son has been arrested in retaliation. Mon National
Democratic Front chairman Naing Htun Thein is now detained without
trial, and three other members of the party were sentenced to seven years
imprisonment in December.

Bangkok, "Associated Press," 18 January


Burma-Thai Naval Clashes
   
Burmese and Thai naval vessels traded cannon and machine gun fire  on
12 January as a sovereignty dispute over several islands off the
southwestern Thai city of Ranong flared into open conflict.  Three
Burmese sailors were reportedly killed; in a similar clash in
mid-December, two Thais died.

Bangkok, "United Press International," 14  January


Junta Drugs PR Plan

Burma's army junta  plans an international public relations campaign
to publicize what a top general describes as considerable success in
fighting drug production. The state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper
quoted junta Secretary One and military intelligence chief Lieutenant
General Khin Nyunt as saying the publicity campaign would last into
next year. United States Government figures estimate that Burma produces

half the world's opium, an amount the junta claims is exaggerated.

Rangoon, "Agence France Presse," 18 January


"Gentle" Junta

U.S. Congressman Tony Hall said that Burmese intelligence chief Khin
Nyunt has "promised to be gentle and lenient to the opposition."
However, Congressman Hall, who visited Burma  in mid-January  to assess
humanitarian conditions, said he saw no evidence that the regime was
prepared to make concession to the democratic opposition.  Hall said that
National 
League for Democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should have no "veto" over
international aid to Burma.  Hall said that foreign assistance should not be
blocked
by political squabbles. Many governments, the United Nations and human
rights
groups have published detailed reports on massive human rights violations by
the 
Burmese Junta, including torture, forced labor, and detention without trial.


Bangkok, "Agence France Presse," 17 January


"Accountable" Aid Demanded
   
Burma's government-in-exile warned that international aid channeled
through the military regime could be used to feed soldiers instead of
children, and urged that any increased humanitarian assistance be
offered in consultation with the National League for Democracy. The 
National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma said any aid must 
be is delivered in a way that is "transparent, independent and accountable."

Bangkok, "Agence France Presse,"  20 January


UNOCAL Denial

The Los Angeles-based UNOCAL oil company has categorically denied
reports that it is directly financing units of Burma's army to protect a
gas pipeline  in which it is a partner with Burma's military junta.  A
Bangkok Post story on 06 January had detailed allegations that UNOCAL is
backing army units attacking ethnic people in the pipeline area, from
where many human rights abuses have been reported.

"Bangkok Post," 14 January


Tourism Drive Falters

Burma's drive to become a major tourist destination has failed, and
income from the tourism in the year ending 31 March 1998 actually
dropped, according to official figures. Industry sources say the ruling
junta's figure of 190,000 tourists is inflated, and includes many
business visitors making multiple trips. New hotels in Rangoon are in
serious trouble with only about 15% occupancy rates, as political unrest
and calls by the regime's opponents for tourists to boycott Burma have
discouraged visitors.

Rangoon, "Asian Wall Street Journal," 13 January