EBO “Burma News” 21 February 2003

News Summary:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. EU urges Myanmar to release political prisoners

2. US says no dialogue invite from Myanmar

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EU urges Myanmar to release political prisoners

ATHENS, Feb 21 (AFP) - The European Union on Friday voiced concern at

Myanmar's deteriorating human rights record, urging the regime to release

political prisoners and stop harassing opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

"The EU notes with serious concern that reports of restriction on freedom

of expression and political arrests and detentions in Burma/Myanmar have

increased... The EU calls on the Burma/Myanmar authorities to respect their

promises to release all political prisoners," the EU's Greek presidency said

in a statement.

"Of particular concern is the growing pattern of harassment and attempted

intimidation of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi," the statement said, reaffirming the

EU's "support for political change" in the southeast Asian country.

Myanmar's junta has refused to recognise the results of the 1990 general

election, in which the National League for Democracy (NLD) party of Aung San

Suu Kyi won 392 of the 485 contested seats.

On Wednesday the Nobel Peace Price laureate urged the international

community to maintain pressure on the military regime in Yangon to move

towards democracy.

A US official recently said he was highly sceptical that Myanmar's military

junta was serious about democratic reform and warned Washington was

considering further sanctions against the country.

----------------------------------

US says no dialogue invite from Myanmar

WASHINGTON, Feb 20 (AFP) - The United States said Thursday it had received

no proposal from Myanmar for a dialogue, after the military-ruled state called

on Washington to "open its heart" and enter constructive talks.

The call from Yangon came five days after a senior US official said

Washington was losing patience with the junta and examining what extra

sanctions it could impose in the absence of a promised dialogue with the

democratic opposition.

"We saw the statement, but the fact is the Burmese have not raised a

proposal with us on what they called a constructive dialogue," said State

Department spokesman Richard Boucher.

"At this point we're not really prepared and in a position to comment on

the idea.

"We would, of course, welcome concrete steps by Burma to move toward

democracy and greater respect for human rights.

"The critical dialogue is the one between the regime and Aung Sung Suu Kyi

and the National League for Democracy."

The rulers of Myanmar, the former Burma, earlier rejected US scepticism

over the progress of its political reform process and slammed the sanctions

warning.

The junta said it "noted with disappointment" remarks made last week by

Lorne Craner, US assistant secretary of state for human rights, democracy and

labor.

"Our patience for positive change is beginning to run out and we, along

with the UK and others, are considering all options, including further

sanctions," Craner said Saturday.

The United States currently maintains an investment ban, travel

restrictions for Myanmar officials and an arms embargo on Myanmar, among other

sanctions.

The junta responded by condemning sanctions for failing to solve the

country's problems.

"The government therefore invites the United States to join us in open,

constructive dialogue toward humanitarian, economic and political development

in Myanmar," the statement said.

"We urge the United States to roll up its sleeves and join with us to bring

a better life to the people."

The Nobel peace laureate -- who was released from house arrest in May --

has been engaged in UN-brokered talks with the junta since October 2000, but

they are yet to progress beyond a confidence-building stage.

###

If you do not wish to receive this daily newsletters, please reply

with your e-mail address and the "cancel" in the text section.

With many thanks,

Burma