VOA REPORT ON INTERPOL 2/6/99 (fwd)

[burma@xxxxxxxx]

Subject: VOA REPORT ON INTERPOL 2/6/99 (fwd)(U.S Won't participate)

The following news item was heard via RealAudio on VOA Burmese Service's

Website on 2/6/99.   This is a most significant development,  one
whichhas
not been mentioned by any news agency so far.  VOA Burmese Serviceoften
carries
news that is far ahead of others and this is but one example.  FBC
members should make a habit of checking the VOA Burmese Service website.

The United States has announced it will stay away from a meeting of the
International Police Organization (Interpol) to be hosted by Burma's
military government this month.

Interpol's plan to hold the conference (february 23-26) in Rangoon has
stirred controversy.  Burmese exile groups say Burma should not havebeen

chosen because it remains a major source of heroin production
andtrafficking.

A state department spokesman told V-O-A'S Burmese Service Rangoon could
use the conference to create a false impression of internationalapproval
for
lackluster counter-narcotics and anti-crime performance.

Three european countries -- Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway --
earlierannounced they will not attend the Interpol meeting.

There was no immediate reaction to the U-S announcement from Burmese
embassy officials in Washington.

A spokesman for Interpol said last month the organization sees no reason

to change the location of the conference.