EBO Burma News, 19 June 2003

News Summary:

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1. Report calls for UN Security Council action on Myanmar

2. US lawmakers call for downgrading of diplomatic ties to Myanmar

3. Concerns for Aung San Suu Kyi continue: O'BRIEN (FCO Press Release)

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Report calls for UN Security Council action on Myanmar

WASHINGTON, June 18 (AFP) - A newly-issued report Wednesday calls on the

United Nations Security Council to hold an emergency session on Myanmar to

condemn the military government's recent crackdown on the democratic

opposition.

"Burma: A Time For Change," a 60-page document published an independent

task force convened by the New York based Council on Foreign Relations, calls

on the UN Security Council to impose targeted sanctions on Burma, including

denying visas to leaders of the military regime, freezing their assets,

banning new investments and the ending the import of goods from Myanmar, also

known as Burma.

The Task Force also recommends that Washington impose an immediate import

ban on goods produced in Myanmar, even if the United Nations fails to do so.

"The Burmese regime has repeatedly broken its promises to begin substantive

dialogue with the democratic opposition," said Mathea Falco, a former

assistant secretary of state who led the task force.

"It is time for the UN and the international community to take action," she

said at a press conference held at a US Senate office Wednesday to unveil the

work.

The recommendations come as senior US senators called Wednesday for the

United States to downgrade diplomatic relations with Myanmar to pressure the

country's military junta to free opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The Council on Foreign Relations report called on Washington to redouble

its efforts to influence other Asian governments -- particularly China, Japan

Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia -- to ostracize the military regime in Yangon.

The report also urges the United States to increase its humanitarian

assistance to Burma to help relieve that country's massive refugee crisis and

public health emergencies, particularly the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

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US lawmakers call for downgrading of diplomatic ties to Myanmar

by Stephanie Griffith

WASHINGTON, June 18 (AFP) - US lawmakers on Wednesday called for tighter

sanctions on Myanmar's military junta to pressure for the release of

opposition leader and Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and her followers.

Two senior US senators called for a downgrade of US diplomatic relations

with Myanmar.

"It's another way of conveying the message that we consider this a pariah

regime that does not deserve even the respect of having an ambassador here,"

said Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican who wrote to Secretary of State

Colin Powell seeking a cut in Myanmar's diplomatic status.

"Diplomatic relations with Burma (Myanmar) should be downgraded by sending

Burma's ambassador in Washington back to Rangoon (Yangon) until such a time

that Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners are freed," he said.

McConnell is one of the sponsors of The Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act,

approved by the Senate last week to impose sanctions on Yangon.

California Democrat Dianne Feinstein said McConnell's proposal was

necessary because the country's military regime had not responded to dialogue

or other forms of engagement.

"My view is that it hasn't worked," she said. "There have been talks but

there's been no action."

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PRESS RELEASE WEDNESDAY 18 JUNE 2003

CONCERNS FOR ASSK CONTINUE: O'BRIEN

To mark Aung San Suu Kyi’s birthday tomorrow, Mike O’Brien today tried to make

contact with her. He said:

“I particularly wanted to telephone Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday. It is her

birthday - and by chance my own too. But while I can go out and celebrate my

birthday with my family, Aung San Suu Kyi does not have that choice. However

despite repeated attempts today to contact the Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister,

Khin Maung Win, to ask for Aung San Suu Kyi’s telephone number, he has claimed

to be unavailable to take a call.

"Last week I asked the Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister why, if the military regime

keeps telling the outside world that she is being detained 'for her own safety', am I

unable to speak to her? He could not come up with an answer and said he would

get back to me with the telephone number. He has failed to do so.

"I deeply regret that Aung San Suu Kyi should have to spend another day under

military detention, especially on her birthday. She has been seen only once since

the violent events of 30 May. We do not know where she is being held. I am also

deeply concerned about the welfare of Aung San Suu Kyi’s deputy, U Tin Oo.

No one has seen him since 30 May.

"We now have credible information that the appalling events of 30 May were

a deliberate and pre-meditated attack on Aung San Suu Kyi and her National

League for Democracy. This is deeply disturbing.

"The principles of democracy, freedom and respect for human rights that

Aung San Suu Kyi has fought for so strongly are dying in Burma. The international

community must stand firm together and show the regime that their actions

are unacceptable and will not prevail.”

Duty Press Officer: 020 7008 3100

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