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Euro-Burmanet site / VOA posts June
- Subject: Euro-Burmanet site / VOA posts June
- From: cd@xxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 26 May 1996 01:01:00
Subject: Re: Euro-Burmanet site / VOA posts June 21-25
dawn star wrote: resent,mail delivery problem
> This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
>
> --------------3CF95DFB1C8A
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> here is attached file on VOA postings this week, hope it helps if you
> dont have it, please check out Euro-Burmanet site . It is going up fast
> now to help the media lobbying here, and inform the french as the press
> in france has been not much less than fiasco.
> Good luck spiders!
>
> http://www-uvi.eunet.fr/
>
> --------------3CF95DFB1C8A
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> Headline:
> Keywords:
> Date: May 21-25 1996
> Source: VOA (DEBORAH TATE , DAN ROBINSON , RON PEMSTEIN , DAVID DYAR ,
> Section: ebn
> Rubrique:
>
> 5/25/96
> BY DEBORAH TATE
>
> WHITE HOUSE - THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION WILL DISPATCH AN ENVOY IN THE
> COMING WEEK TO AN AS YET UNDISCLOSED SITE TO MEET WITH U-S ALLIES
> ON THE CURRENT SITUATION IN BURMA. THE MEETING WILL ATTEMPT TO
> COORDINATE STRATEGY IN RESPONSE TO WASHINGTON'S DEEP CONCERN
> ABOUT THE DETENTION OF HUNDREDS OF PRO-DEMOCRACY SUPPORTERS ON
> THE EVE OF SUNDAY'S NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY PARTY CONGRESS
> IN RANGOON.
>
> A STATEMENT ISSUED BY WHITE HOUSE SECRETARY MIKE MCCURRY
> SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS URGING BURMA'S MILITARY GOVERNMENT TO
> RELEASE ALL DETAINEES IMMEDIATELY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, AND NOT
> TO INTERFERE WITH SUNDAY'S NATONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY
> CONFERENCE.
>
> THE STATEMENT SAYS THE U-S POSITION WAS COMMUNICATED TO BURMESE
> AUTHORITIES THROUGH DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS IN WASHINGTON AND
> RANGOON.THE UNITED STATES IS SEEKING A COORDINATED ALLIED RESPONSE TO THE
> SITUATION IN BURMA.
>
> PRESIDENT CLINTON'S TOP FOREIGN POLICY ADVISORS HAVE DECIDED TO
> NAME AN ENVOY TO MEET WITH U-S AND ASIAN ALLIES IN THE COMING
> WEEK TO PLAN A STRATEGY. OFFICIALS SAY DEVELOPMENTS IN BURMA
> WILL ALSO BE A TOPIC OF CONCERN AT NEXT MONTH'S G-7 MEETING IN
> LYON, FRANCE AND UPCOMING REGIONAL TALKS IN ASIA.
>
> IN THE MEANTIME, THE UNITED STATES IS URGING U-S CITIZENS TO
> RECONSIDER NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL TO BURMA.
>
> MR. MCCURRY'S STATEMENT RENEWS THE U-S CALL TO BURMESE
> AUTHORITIES TO ENGAGE IN WHAT IT CALLS 'MEANINGFUL POLITICAL
> DIALOGUE' WITH DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION LEADERS AND REPRESENTATIVES
> OF ETHNIC MINORITIES.
>
> 5/25/96
> BURMA SUNDAY SCENESETTER (S)
> BY DAN ROBINSON
>
> BANGKOK - UNDETERRED BY THE ARRESTS OF AT LEAST 250 OF ITS
> MEMBERS, BURMA'S NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY PLANS TO GO AHEAD
> WITH A SPECIAL CONGRESS LATER TODAY (SUNDAY). KEY DEMOCRACY FIGURE AND 1991 NOBEL PEACE
> PRIZE LAUREATE -- AUNG SAN SUU KYI -- SAYS THE ACTIONS BY THE
> RULING MILITARY JUNTA (THE STATE LAW AND ORDER RESTORATION
> COUNCIL, OR SLORC) HAVE ACTUALLY HELPED THE CAUSE OF DEMOCRACY:
>
> DESPITE STRONG CONDEMNATIONS OF THE N-L-D IN THE
> STATE-RUN PRESS, AND THE ARRESTS OF MANY PARTY MEMBERS, A LARGER
> THAN USUAL CROWD OF SUPPORTERS GATHERED (SATURDAY) OUTSIDE AUNG
> SAN SUU KYI'S HOME.
>
> SHE TOLD THEM THE FACT THAT SO MANY HAD TURNED OUT DESPITE HEAVY
> RAINS REFLECTED WIDESPREAD SUPPORT FOR HER AND THE PARTY.
>
> SHE SAID THE ARRESTS OF N-L-D MEMBERS SHOWED THE MILITARY
> BELIEVES THE ONLY WAY IT CAN MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER IS BY PUTTING
> PEOPLE IN JAIL.
>
> FACING INTENSE CRITICISM OF ITS ACTIONS, THE RANGOON JUNTA HAS
> SAID N-L-D MEMBERS WERE NOT ARRESTED AND WILL BE HELD ONLY A
> SHORT TIME.
>
> SUNDAY'S CONFERENCE WOULD MARK THE SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
> POLITICAL PARTY'S OVERWHELMING ELECTION VICTORY IN 1990.
>
> BURMA'S MILITARY JUNTA HAS REFUSED TO TRANSFER POWER TO
> CIVILIANS.
>
> ITS OWN LONG-RUNNING CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION INVOLVING MOSTLY
> HAND-PICKED CANDIDATES, HAS BEEN DISMISSED AS ILLEGITIMATE BY
> BURMESE DEMOCRACY GROUPS IN EXILE AND FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS.
>
> 5/25/96
> BURMA SUNDAY SCENESETTER
> BY DAN ROBINSON
>
> BANGKOK -BURMA'S DEMOCRACY LEADER, AUNG SAN SUU KYI, SAYS A
> PLANNED GATHERING OF HER NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY WILL GO
> AHEAD LATER TODAY, DESPITE WHAT SHE SAYS IS THE ARREST OF AT
> LEAST 250 MEMBERS OF HER PARTY. V-O-A'S DAN ROBINSON REPORTS,
> SUPPORTERS OF AUNG SAN SUU KYI LISTENED TO HER SPEAK AT THE GATES
> OF HER HOME ON SATURDAY:
>
> TEXT: THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE LISTENING TO AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S TALK
> OUTSIDE THE GATE OF HER HOME ON UNIVERSITY AVENUE WAS ESTIMATED
> AS HIGH AS FIVE-THOUSAND.
>
> SHE TOLD THEM THE CONGRESS OF THE N-L-D SET TO BEGIN SUNDAY WILL
> GO AHEAD. AMID WHAT REPORTERS DESCRIBED AS DEAFENING APPLAUSE,
> SHE SAID THE ARREST OF N-L-D MEMBERS INDICATED A LACK OF
> CONFIDENCE ON THE PART OF BURMA'S MILITARY RULERS.
>
> NO INCIDENTS WERE REPORTED DURING SATURDAY'S SPEECH. SINCE HER
> RELEASE FROM HOUSE ARREST LAST YEAR, SHE HAS USED THE WEEKEND
> TALKS TO MAINTAIN FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT WITH BURMESE PEOPLE.
>
> // OPT // NEWS AGENCY REPORTS SAID THAT ASIDE FROM THE PRESENCE
> OF JUNTA INTELLIGENCE AGENTS OBSERVING THE SPEECH, THERE APPEARED
> TO HAVE BEEN NO ATTEMPTS TO PREVENT THE GATHERING FROM TAKING
> PLACE. // END OPT //
>
> IN OFFICIAL PRESS CONDEMNATIONS OF AUNG SAN SUU KYI AND THE
> PLANNED PARTY CONGRESS, THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT HAS ACCUSED
> DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS OF THREATENING A RETURN TO 1988.
>
> THAT YEAR, BURMESE TROOPS VIOLENTLY CRUSHED PRO-DEMOCRACY
> DEMONSTRATIONS, WITH AN ESTIMATED SEVERAL THOUSAND PEOPLE KILLED
> IN RANGOON AND OTHER CITIES.
>
> // OPT // IN 1989, AUNG SAN SUU KYI WAS PLACED UNDER HOUSE
> ARREST, AND OTHER SENIOR N-L-D LEADERS WERE JAILED. IN 1990,
> THE N-L-D WON AN OVERWHELMING VICTORY IN AN ELECTION BURMA'S
> JUNTA, KNOWN AS THE STATE LAW AND ORDER REST0RATION COUNCIL
> (SLORC) PERMITTED. BUT THE ELECTION RESULTS WERE THEN IGNORED. //
> END OPT //
>
> AFTER HER RELEASE FROM HOUSE ARREST LAST YEAR, AUNG SAN SUU KYI
> PULLED THE N-L-D OUT OF THE MILITARY-CONTROLLED CONSTITUTIONAL
> CONVENTION SAYING IT WAS NOT LEADING TO A LEGITIMATE TRANSITION
> TO DEMOCRATIC RULE.
>
> IN AN INTERVIEW WITH THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (SATURDAY), AUNG SAN
> SUU KYI DESCRIBED THE CURRENT SITUATION AS, IN HER WORDS -- A
> TIME FOR ACTION. SHE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE ARRESTS OF N-L-D
> MEMBERS MEANS THE SUNDAY CONGRESS WILL BE ATTENDED BY FEWER
> PEOPLE.
>
> PROTESTS AGAINST THE MILITARY JUNTA'S ACTIONS HAVE POURED IN
> SINCE ARRESTS BEGAN LAST WEEK. THE LATEST WAS FROM FRANCE,
> WHICH ECHOED OTHER GOVERNMENTS IN URGING THE JUNTA TO BEGIN A
> GENUINE POLITICAL DIALOGUE WITH THE DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT.
>
> 5/24/96
> BURMA OVERNIGHT
> BY DAN ROBINSON
>
> BANGKOK -THE LEADER OF BURMA'S DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT, AUNG SAN SUU
> KYI, SAYS THE RULING MILITARY GOVERNMENT HAS ARRESTED AT LEAST
> 217 MEMBERS OF HER NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY (N-L-D).
> IT IS NOT CERTAIN WHAT FURTHER ACTION THE COUNTRY'S MILITARY RULERS
> MIGHT TAKE TO PREVENT A GATHERING OF N-L-D MEMBERS SCHEDULED FOR
> SUNDAY:
>
> EACH SATURDAY, AUNG SAN SUU KYI HAS ADDRESSED PRO-DEMOCRACY CROWDS AT THE GATE OF HER HOME.
>
> BUT HAVING ALREADY ARRESTED MORE THAN 200 MEMBERS OF HER PARTY,
> IT IS NOW THOUGHT UNLIKELY THE MILITARY WILL ALLOW ANYONE NEAR
> THE HOUSE.
>
> AUNG SAN SUU KYI HAS VOWED TO GO AHEAD WITH A PARTY CONGRESS
> SCHEDULED TO BEGIN SUNDAY -- WHICH WOULD BE THE LARGEST SUCH
> GATHERING SINCE HER RELEASE FROM HOUSE ARREST LAST YEAR.
>
> THE STATE-RUN ENGLISH-LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER (FRIDAY) RAN A
> COMMENTARY ACCUSING HER OF SEEKING A RETURN TO 1988 -- THE YEAR
> BURMESE TROOPS CRUSHED NATIONWIDE DEMOCRACY DEMONSTRATIONS.
>
> INTERNATIONAL CRITICISM CONTINUES, WITH THE STRONGEST PROTESTS
> COMING FROM THE UNITED STATES. THE UNITED NATIONS CALLED ON THE
> JUNTA TO EXERCISE THE GREATEST RESTRAINT. JAPAN ISSUED ITS
> STRONGEST CRITICISM IN YEARS, URGING THE JUNTA TO RELEASE N-L-D
> MEMBERS, REFRAIN FROM FURTHER ARRESTS, AND STOP HARASSING THE
> N-L-D.
>
> 5/23/96
> U-S-BURMA SANCTIONS (S ONLY)
> BY RON PEMSTEIN
>
> WASHINGTON,DC - STATE DEPARTMENT -THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAS MOVED TO SUPPORT SANCTIONS LEGISLATION AGAINST BURMA BEING PROPOSED IN THE UNITED
STATES
> SENATE. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, U-S
> OFFICIALS WANT TO MAINTAIN SOME FLEXIBILITY.
>
> THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT WILL SUPPORT THE LEGISLATION
> INTRODUCED BY SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL THAT WOULD RESTRICT VISAS
> AND PROHIBIT AMERICAN INVESTMENT IN BURMA. HOWEVER, THE CLINTON
> ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO WORK WITH CONGRESS TO BE SURE ANY NEW
> SANCTIONS ARE DISCRETIONARY, RATHER THAN MANDATORY.
>
> STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE POINT IS TO
> MAKE SURE ANY AMERICAN MOVES HAVE SOME EFFECT ON BURMA'S MILITARY
> LEADERS.
>
> ///BURNS ACT///
>
> WE DO NOT RULE OUT FURTHER U-S SANCTIONS AGAINST BURMA
> AND WE ARE READY TO EXPLORE VARIOUS MEASURES WITH THE
> CONGRESS. WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS WE WANT TO HAVE AN
> EFFECTIVE U-S RESPONSE.
>
> ///END ACT///
>
> MR. BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT ACCEPT THE BURMESE
> GOVERNMENT'S EXPLANATION THAT 192 DETAINED DISSIDENTS ARE BEING
> HELD IN GOVERNMENT GUEST HOUSES. U-S OFFICIALS SAY MULTILATERAL
> SANCTIONS WOULD BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE WEAPON AGAINST BURMESE
> MILITARY LEADERS BUT NOTE THERE IS LITTLE SUPPORT FOR THOSE
> SANCTIONS AMONG BURMA'S MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS
>
> 5/23/96
> BY DEBORAH TATE
>
> MILWAUKEE, WI. - THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS CONDEMNING BURMA'S
> CRACKDOWN ON THE COUNTRY'S PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT. AT LEAST 100
> PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DETAINED AHEAD OF NEXT WEEK'S KEY OPPOSITION
> MEETING IN RANGOON : U-S REACTION FROM THE MIDWESTERN U-S CITY MILWAUKEE,
> WISCONSIN, WHERE THE PRESIDENT IS TRAVELING.
>
> TEXT: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT IS DEEPLY CONCERNED BY
> REPORTS BURMA'S MILITARY GOVERNMENT IS DETAINING MEMBERS OF THE
> COUNTRY'S PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT.
>
> A WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT CONDEMNS EFFORTS BY RANGOON TO PREVENT
> BURMESE CITIZENS FROM EXERCISING WHAT IT SAYS ARE THEIR "BASIC
> POLITICAL RIGHTS."
>
> THE STATEMENT SAYS THE UNITED STATES HAS STRONGLY PROTESTED THE
> DETENTIONS TO BURMESE AUTHORITIES. IT WARNS A CONTINUED
> CRACKDOWN WOULD LEAD TO FURTHER DETERIORATION IN THE
> ALREADY-STRAINED BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP.
>
> THE STATEMENT CONCLUDES THE UNITED STATES WILL CONTINUE ACTIVE
> DIPLOMACY -- INCLUDING CONSULTATIONS WITH ALLIES IN THE
> INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY -- TO ENCOURAGE BURMA'S GOVERNMENT TO
> RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF THE BURMESE PEOPLE.
>
> EARLIER, THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT DEMANDED THE RELEASE OF THOSE
> DETAINED AND CALLED ON BURMA'S SOUTHEAST ASIAN NEIGHBORS TO PUT
> PRESSURE ON THE RANGOON GOVERNMENT.
>
> 5/23/96
> BY DAN ROBINSON
>
> BANGKOK - THE LEADER OF BURMA'S MAIN DEMOCRACY PARTY, AUNG SAN SUU
> KYI, SAYS NEARLY 200 DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS HAVE BEEN DETAINED BY
> THE RULING MILITARY GOVERNMENT.
>
> BURMESE MILITARY AUTHORITIES (THURSDAY) DEFENDED THE DETENTIONS
> AND ACCUSED THE NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY (NLD) OF TRYING TO
> STIR UP UNREST:
>
> AUNG SAN SUU KYI GAVE THE LATEST FIGURE FOR DETENTIONS IN
> A NEWS CONFERENCE LATE THURSDAY AT HER HOME IN RANGOON. SHE SAID
> IT WAS CLEAR THEY ARE IN ATTEMPT BY THE MILITARY TO PREVENT A
> CONGRESS OF HER PARTY FROM TAKING PLACE ON SUNDAY AS PLANNED.
> SHE SAID THE MEETING WILL GO AHEAD.
>
> EARLIER, MILITARY SPOKESMEN IN RANGOON SAID THE PLANNED N-L-D
> GATHERING AT AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S HOME THREATENED STABILITY.
> STATE-RUN NEWSPAPERS SHARPLY CRITICIZED AUNG SAN SUU KYI AND
> OTHER KEY N-L-D OFFICIALS.
>
> THE MILITARY JUNTA DENIES N-L-D MEMBERS ARE UNDER ARREST, BUT HAS
> NOT SAID HOW LONG THEY WILL BE HELD.
>
> THE UNITED STATES AND SEVERAL OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE PROTESTED THE
> DETENTIONS AND RENEWED CALLS FOR POLITICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN
> BURMA'S MILITARY AND DEMOCRACY FORCES.
>
> 5/23/96
> BY DAN ROBINSON
>
> BANGKOK- AMID INCREASING INTERNATIONAL CRITICISM, BURMA'S MILITARY
> GOVERNMENT IS REPORTED TO HAVE DETAINED MORE DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS.
> THE RULING MILITARY JUNTA SAYS IT ACTED TO PREVENT WHAT IT CALLS A THREAT TO STABILITY FROM A PLANNED CONFERENCE OF MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL
LEAGUE FOR
> DEMOCRACY, AT THE RANGOON HOME OF AUNG SAN SUU KYI:
>
> TEXT: DIPLOMATS AND DEMOCRACY SOURCES SAY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE
> HELD BY THE MILITARY HAS INCREASED TO 111.
>
> ANOTHER CLOSE AIDE TO AUNG SAN SUU KYI, WHO HAD SPOKEN TO FOREIGN
> NEWS ORGANIZATIONS THIS WEEK, IS AMONG THOSE DETAINED.
>
> AS INTERNATIONAL CRITICISM INCREASES, THE MILITARY TOOK THE
> UNUSUAL STEP OF HOLDING A NEWS CONFERENCE FOR THOSE FOREIGN
> JOURNALISTS IT HAS ALLOWED INTO THE COUNTRY.
>
> A MILITARY SPOKESMAN SAID THE PLANNED N-L-D GATHERING -- WHICH
> WOULD MARK THE SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OF A 1990 ELECTION THE PARTY WON
> OVERWHELMINGLY -- THREATENED STABILITY.
>
> THE JUNTA DENIES N-L-D MEMBERS ARE UNDER ARREST, SAYING THEY ARE
> MERELY BEING REMINDED NOT TO PURSUE WHAT THE MILITARY CALLS -- A
> CONFRONTATION COURSE."
>
> THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN, JAPAN, AUSTRALIA -- AND NOW BURMA'S
> NEIGHBOR TO THE EAST, THAILAND -- HAVE ISSUED PROTESTS OR
> EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE ROUNDUP OF N-L
>
> 5/23/96
> BY DAN ROBINSON
> BANGKOK - BURMA'S MILITARY GOVERNMENT HAS DEFENDED ITS DETENTION OF
> MORE THAN 100 MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITION NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR
> DEMOCRACY, SAYING A PLANNED PARTY MEETING THREATENED STABILITY.
> AS WE HEAR IN THIS BACKGROUND REPORT . THE ACTIONS BY THE JUNTA IN RANGOON ARE
> DRAWING INCREASING CRITICISM FROM FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS:
>
> TEXT: IN AN UNUSUAL STEP, BURMA'S MILITARY GOVERNMENT CALLED A
> NEWS CONFERENCE TO EXPLAIN ITS REASONS FOR DETAINING MEMBERS OF
> THE NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY (N-L-D).
>
> A SENIOR INTELLIGENCE OFFICIAL, COLONEL KYAW WIN, SAID N-L-D
> MEMBERS HAVE NOT BEEN ARRESTED, BUT MERELY TAKEN IN FOR
> QUESTIONING. OFFICIALS WOULD NOT SAY HOW LONG THEY WILL BE HELD.
>
> A COMMENTARY IN STATE-RUN NEWSPAPERS (THURSDAY) ACCUSED AUNG SAN
> SUU KYI AND OTHER SENIOR N-L-D LEADERS OF, IN ITS WORDS --
> BEING IRRATIONAL, EGOISTICAL, POWER CRAZY AND SEEKING TO
> OVERTHROW THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT.
>
> REFERRING DIRECTLY TO THE DEMOCRACY LEADER AND SENIOR N-L-D
> OFFICIALS, THE COMMENTARY ACCUSED THEM OF PREPARING TO SHATTER
> STABILITY AND PEACE THROUGH THE PLANNED N-L-D GATHERING.
>
> IN A V-O-A INTERVIEW (WEDNESDAY), AUNG SAN SUU KYI SAID THE N-L-D
> MEETING, SET TO BEGIN SUNDAY WOULD GO AHEAD. SHE SAID THE FACT
> THAT SO MANY N-L-D MEMBERS HAVE BEEN DETAINED SHOWS HOW INSECURE
> THE JUNTA IS ABOUT THE DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT:
>
> // SUU KYI ACT //
>
> ALL THIS IS TANTAMOUNT TO ADMITTING THAT THEY CANNOT
> COPE WITH THE SITUATION AND THAT THE N-L-D IS A FORCE TO
> BE RECKONED WITH. OTHERWISE THEY WOULDN'T HAVE GONE
> AROUND ARRESTING ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE N-L-D.
>
> // END ACT //
>
> ANOTHER CLOSE AIDE AND RELATIVE OF AUNG SAN SUU KYI -- U AYE WIN
> -- IS REPORTED TO BE AMONG THOSE IN DETENTION. MILITARY
> INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS SAID THURSDAY THERE ARE NO PLANS -- YET --
> TO DETAIN AUNG SAN SUU KYI HERSELF.
>
> THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN, JAPAN, AND AUSTRALIA HAVE EITHER
> STRONGLY PROTESTED THE DETENTIONS OR EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE
> ROUNDUP OF N-L-D MEMBERS.
>
> THAILAND -- A MAIN SUPPORTER OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE MILITARY
> GOVERNMENT -- HAS JOINED IN. GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SURAPHONG
> CHAIYANAM CALLS THE DETENTIONS COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE TO NATIONAL
> RECONCILIATION:
>
> // SURAPHONG ACT //
>
> WE ARE FOR DEMOCRATIZATION PROCESS IN BURMA. WE ARE FOR
> NATIONAL RECONCILIATION. WHAT DOES DEMOCRATIZATION
> MEAN? IT MEANS PEOPLE SHOULD BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY
> TO DECIDE WHAT SORT OF A SYSTEM THEY WANT IN BURMA.
>
> // END ACT //
>
> ABOUT 20 BURMESE STUDENTS DEMONSTRATED OUTSIDE BURMA'S EMBASSY IN
> BANGKOK, CALLING FOR THE RELEASE OF N-L-D MEMBERS IN DETENTION,
> AND TALKS BETWEEN THE MILITARY AND DEMOCRACY FORCES.
>
> 5/21/96
> BY VICTOR BEATTIE
>
> WASHINGTON -THE UNITED STATES HAS DENOUNCED THE BURMESE MILITARY
> GOVERNMENT'S ARREST OF AT LEAST 44 DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS AS ANOTHER
> IN A SERIES OF OPPRESSIVE ACTIONS IN SUPPRESSING POLITICAL
> RIGHTS. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS A U-S SPOKESMAN IS
> CALLING ON BURMA'S ASIAN NEIGHBORS TO BUT PRESSURE ON THE RANGOON
> REGIME'S LEADERS:
>
> TEXT: STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE UNITED
> STATES IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE ARRESTS BY THE STATE LAW AND ORDER
> RESTORATION COUNCIL. THE ARRESTS OF THE DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS
> OCCURRED OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS AS THEY PREPARED TO TAKE PART IN
> AN OPPOSITION NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY MEETING SUNDAY IN THE
> BURMESE CAPITAL LED BY NOBEL LAUREATE AUNG SAN SUU KYI:
>
> /// BURNS ACTUALITY ///
>
> THIS IS YET ANOTHER IN A SERIES OF OPPRESSIVE ACTIONS BY
> THE MILITARY REGIME TO PREVENT AUNG SAN SUU KYI AND HER
> SUPPORTERS FROM EXERCISING THEIR BASIC POLITICAL RIGHTS.
> THE RECENT (GOVERNMENT) CRITICISM AND THE ACTIONS OF THE
> MILITARY AGAINST THE DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION HAVE BEEN
> OMINOUS. WE ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED AND WE' HAVE MADE THE
> STRONGEST POSSIBLE REPRESENTATIONS TO THE BURMESE
> AUTHORITIES IN RANGOON AND ALSO HERE IN WASHINGTON.
>
> /// END ACTUALITY ///
>
> MR. BURNS REPEATED THE U-S APPEAL FOR A GENUINE DIALOGUE ON THE
> FUTURE OF BURMA WITH AUNG SAN SUU KYI AND LEADERS OF BURMA'S
> ETHNIC MINORITIES AS THE ONLY PATH FOR POLITICAL RECONCILIATION.
> THERE HAVE BEEN NO TALKS SINCE THE N-L-D PULLED OUT OF A
> MILITARY-RUN CONVENTION SIX MONTHS AGO FOLLOWING AUNG SAN SUU
> KYI'S RELEASE FROM HOUSE ARREST.
>
> MR. BURNS APPEALED TO BURMA'S NEIGHBORS, INCLUDING THAILAND, TO
> EXERT PRESSURE ON THE MILITARY AUTHORITIES IN RANGOON.
>
> THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN HIGHLY CRITICAL OF THE BURMESE REGIME
> SINCE IT FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THE OVERWHELMING 1990 NATIONAL
> LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY ELECTORAL VICTORY.
>
> /// REST OPT FOR LONG ///
>
> THE WASHINGTON-BASED HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH-ASIA JOINED THE U-S
> CONDEMNATION AND DEMANDED THE RIGHTS ACTIVISTS' IMMEDIATE
> RELEASE. ITS SPOKESMAN IS MIKE JENDRZEJCZYK:
>
> /// JENDRZEJCZYK ACTUALITY ///
>
> WE BELIEVE THESE ARBITRARY DETENTIONS ARE UTTERLY
> WITHOUT JUSTIFICATION, (THEY) CLEARLY ARE A VIOLATION OF
> THE RIGHT TO ASSOCIATION, FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT AND THE
> RIGHT TO THE LIBERTY OF A PERSON.
>
> /// END ACTUALITY ///
>
> MR. JENDRZEJCZYK SAYS IT APPEARS THE BURMESE REGIME IS DOING
> EVERYTHING IT CAN TO DISRUPT SUNDAY'S OPPOSITION MEETING WHICH
> MARKS THE SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1990 ELECTION. HUMAN RIGHTS
> WATCH-ASIA APPEALED TO THE INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL AND BUSINESS
> COMMUNITIES TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST BURMA'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD.
>
> 5/22/96
> BY RON PEMSTEIN
>
> STATE DEPARTMENT -THE UNITED STATES HAS PROTESTED THE DETENTION OF 91
> BURMESE GOVERNMENT OPPONENTS AND CALLED FOR THEIR IMMEDIATE
> RELEASE. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE
> STATE DEPARTMENT.
>
> TEXT: THE BURMESE GOVERNMENT HAS TOLD THE UNITED STATES THE 91
> MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY ARE BEING HELD AT A
> GOVERNMENT GUEST HOUSE FOR QUESTIONING. THE UNITED STATES HAS
> PROTESTED THEIR DETENTION AS AN ATTEMPT BY BURMESE MILITARY
> LEADERS TO PREVENT A PLANNED MEETING THIS WEEKEND AT THE HOUSE OF
> NOBEL PRIZE WINNER AW SANG SUU KYI.
>
> STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES
> IS USING ITS MORAL ARGUMENTS AGAINST MILITARY DICTATORS WHO
> APPARENTLY ARE NOT LISTENING.
>
> /// BURNS ACT. ///
>
> THE UNITED STATES IS IN A POSITION REALLY OF USING SOME
> MORAL PERSUASION HERE. IT HAS NOT WORKED IN THE PAST.
> THESE MILITARY DICTATORS APPEAR TO BE IMPERVIOUS TO THE
> WILL OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND TO THE WILL OF
> AN HEROIC WOMAN WHO IS LEADING THE DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT
> IN BURMA.
>
> /// END BURNS ACT. ///
>
> THE SPOKESMAN DENIES THAT THE AMERICAN INTEREST IN CONTROLLING
> THE ILLEGAL DRUG TRAFFIC FROM BURMA IS LIMITING ANY ACTION THE
> UNITED STATES CAN TAKE TO FORCE BURMA'S MILITARY LEADERS TO OPEN
> A DIALOGUE WITH THE OPPOSITION.
>
> 5/22/96
> Q&A: AUNG SAN SUU KYI
> BY DAN ROBINSON
>
> BANGKOK - HERE IS THE TEXT OF A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW CONDUCTED BY
> DAN ROBINSON IN BANGKOK WITH AUNG SAN SUU KYI OF BURMA, A NOBEL
> PEACE PRIZE WINNER AND LEADING CRITIC OF BURMA. THE INTERVIEW
> FOLLOWS THE APPARENT BURMESE MILITARY GOVERNMENT'S CRACKDOWN ON
> POLITICAL OPPONENTS.
>
> ROBINSON: WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THIS, SHORT
> TERM OR LONG TERM, ON WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH?
>
> SUU KYI: WELL ON THE SHORT TERM OF COURSE THERE WILL BE FEWER
> PEOPLE AT THE CONFERENCE THAN MIGHT OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN SINCE THE
> LATEST ACCOUNT IS 90 ARRESTED. NINETY, OF WHICH 87 ARE
> REPRESENTATIAVES OF THE N-L-D (NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY),
> AND THREE ARE NOT. AND AS FOR THE LONG TERM, WE THINK THAT
> EVERYTHING IS WORKING IN OUR FAVOR BECAUSE ALL THIS IS TANTAMOUNT
> TO THE SLORIC'S (STATE LAW AND ORDER RESTORATION COUNCIL) ENMITY.
> THEY CANNOT COPE WITH THE SITUATION AND THE N-L-D IS A FORCE TO
> BE RECKONED WITH. OTHERWISE THEY WON'T HAVE TO GO AROUND
> ARRESTING ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE N-L-D. THEY ARE QUITE
> INCONSISTENT. THEY KEEP SAYING THESE PEOPLE DON'T MATTER. AND
> YET IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THESE PEOPLE MATTER VERY MUCH INDEED.
>
> ROBINSON: DO YOU THINK THEY WOULD GO TO THE EXTENT OF AGAIN
> ARRESTING YOU?
>
> SUU KYI: QUITE POSSIBLE, YOU KNOW HOW IT IS WITH A DICTORIAL
> GOVERNMENTS.
>
> ROBINSON: THE INTERNATIONAL REACTION -- YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD
> FROM THE U-S AND JAPAN AS WELL -- HAS BEEN QUITE CRITICAL AND THE
> UNITED STATES WARNED THAT THESE DEVELOPMENTS COULD RESULT IN
> FURTHER DETERIORATION OF RELATIONS. DO YOU THINK THAT IS ENOUGH?
>
> SUU KYI: WELL, I THINK THAT'S ALRIGHT TO BEING WITH, BECAUSE
> OBVIOUSLY THEY'VE GOT TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS. IT'S EARLY
> DAYS, YET. AND I THINK FOR OFFICIAL LANGUAGE THAT IS PRETTY
> STRONG. I HAVEN'T REALLY HEARD WHAT JAPAN HAS ISSUED. DO YOU
> KNOW?
>
> ROBINSON: WELL I BELIEVE THE PRIME MINISTER, MR. (RYUTARO)
> HASHIMOTO, HAD SAID THAT IT WOULD RUN COUNTER TO
> DEMOCRATICIZATION -- THE (BURMESE) MEASURES THAT WERE TAKEN
> RECENTLY.
>
> SUU KYI: WELL THAT IS A BIG STEP BECAUSE JAPAN HAS BEEN RATHER
> TAKING THE LINE THAT SLORIC IS GOING TOWARDS WESTERNIZATION.
>
> ROBINSON: CAN YOU CONFIRM REPORTS THAT THE JAPANESE AMBASSADOR
> HAS BEEN TRYING TO ACT AS MEDIATOR, OR HELP THE SITUATION ALONG?
>
> SUU KYI: I DON'T KNOW. I THINK IT IS SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO ASK
> HIM. I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM HIM WITH ALL THESE ARRESTS.
>
> ROBINSON: CAN I ASK YOU ABOUT WHAT APPEARS TO MANY TO BE THE RE-
> WRITING OF HISTORY ONCE AGAIN IN OFFICIAL COMMENTARIES? YOU'VE
> OBVIOUS READ THEM. THEY REFER TO THE ELECTION OF 1990 AS BEING
> NOT LEGITIMATE BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE DISSATISFIED GENERALLY, THEY
> WERE NOT VOTING SPECIFICALLY FOR THE N-L-D. WHAT IS YOUR VIEW
> OF THESE KINDS OF STATEMENTS?
>
> SUU KYI: WELL AS I SAID EARLIER, THESE STATEMENTS ARE QUITE
> INCONSISTENT WITH WHAT HAS BEEN DONE NOW. IF THEY REALLY THINK
> THAT THOSE ELECTIONS WERE ILLEGITIMATE, THEN THEY HAVE NOTHING TO
> FEAR FROM THOSE WHO WERE ELECTED. WHY ARE THEY GOING AROUND
> ARRESTING THEM? AND IN ANY CASE THERE WERE MANY, MANY OTHER
> PARTIES BESIDES THE N-L-D. I DO NOT THINK YOU CAN SAY ALL THE
> N-L-D GOT WAS THE PROTEST VOTE. IF IT WAS SIMPLY TO PROTEST
> AGAINST THE N-U-P (NATIONAL UNITY PARTY) WHICH USED TO BE THE
> B-S-P PARTY, THEY COULD HAVE VOTED FOR OTHER PARTIES AS WELL.
>
> ROBINSON: YOU SAID YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD WITH THIS MEETING
> DESPITE THESE RECENT ARRESTS. TAKE US BACK TO 1990. THE
> MILITARY AUTHORITIES ARE BASICALLY SAYING THAT THE WHOLE THING IS
> OFF, NULL AND VOID, AND THAT NO ONE SHOULD EXPECT ANY CURRENT
> DAY DEVELOPMENT TO COME FROM WHAT HAPPENED IN 1990.
>
> SUU KYI: I THINK THAT THEY HAVE REALLY REVEALED THEMSELVES FOR
> THE DECEIVERS THAT THEY ARE. IT SHOWS VERY CLEARLY THAT THEY HAD
> NO INTENTION OF HONORING THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION. ONLY IF
> THE N-U-P HAD WON, WOULD THEY HAVE THOUGHT OF HONORING IT IN SOME
> WAY. SO NOW THEY HAVE REALLY REVEALED THEMSELVES FOR WHAT THEY
> ARE, THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DECEIVE THE PEOPLE ALL ALONG, TO
> CON THE PEOPLE.
>
> ROBINSON: DO YOU EXPECT ANY REACTION ON THE PART OF THE
> SOUTHEAST ASIAN GOVERNMENTS TO THESE LATEST DEVELOPMENT?
>
> SUU KYI: I DO NOT KNOW YET. I HAVEN'T HEARD OF ANY. EVEN
> JAPAN'S RESPONSE, I HAVE HEARD ABOUT IT JUST NOW.
>
> ROBINSON: THE BUSINESS INVESTMENT THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IS
> CONTINUING. THERE IS NO SIGN THAT ANYTHING WILL CHANGE. IS
> THAT A DISCOURAGING THING TO YOU?
>
> SUU KYI: NO, BECAUSE THE ECONOMY IS NOT DOING WELL.
> INFLATION IS VERY, VERY HIGH AND THE INVESTMENT HERE IS NOT
> REALLY THAT MUCH CHEAPER APART FROM THE TOURIST INDUSTRY, AND IT
> LOOKS LIKELY THAT, THAT WILL BE A FLOP AND IT WON'T DO VERY WELL
> EITHER.
>
> ROBINSON: ONE OTHER COMMENTARY SAID THAT THE N-L-D HAD NO
> MEMBERS THAT HAD ANY ADMINISTRATIVE OR MANAGERIAL EXPERIENCE.
> THEIR REPEATED ARGUMENT IS THAT NOTHING WILL CHANGE FOR THE
> BETTER IN AN N-L-D GOVERNMENT. WHAT ABOUT THAT KIND OF
> CRITICISM?
>
> SUU KYI: I DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY MEAN BY THAT. JUST
> BECAUSE WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T BEEN TRAINED IN ADMINISTRATION
> DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE WILL BE AS BAD AS THE SLORIC. WE HAVE ALL
> KINDS OF PEOPLE. WE HAVE INTELLECTUALS, WE HAVE RETIRED
> ADMINISTRATORS, WE HAVE RETIRED ARMY OFFICERS, WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO
> ARE POLITICIANS. WE HAVE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN IN
> POLITICS BEFORE. WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE AT THE N-L-D. I DO
> NOT QUITE UNDERSTAND WHY THE FACT THAT WE HAVE SOME RETIRED
> ADMINISTRATORS IN OUR ORGANIZATION ITS SUPPOSE TO MAKE US LOOK
> LIKE SLORIC.
>
> ROBINSON: ARE CONCERNED AT THIS POINT THIS COULD BE A LENGTHY
> TIME INSIDE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ARRESTED OR DO YOU THINK THIS
> IS JUST A DEMONSTRATION OF SORTS IN ADVANCE OF YOUR MEETING?
>
> SUU KYI: WE DON'T REALLY SPECULATE ON THE LENGTH OF TIME WHICH
> OUR PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO SUFFER IN PRISON. IF YOUR PART OF THE
> MOVEMENT OF DEMOCRACY IN BURMA, IMPRISONMENT IS AN OCCUPATIONAL
> HAZARD. WELL I THINK IT CERTAINLY PROVES THE POINT OF THE N-L-D
> THAT THE SLORIC HAD NO INTENTION TO HEADING TO WESTERN
> DEMOCRATIZATION AND THOSE COUNTRIES THAT SOUGHT A CONSTRUCTIVE
> ENGAGEMENT AND PUSHED SLORIC FOR WESTERN DEMOCRATIZATION ARE
> CLEARLY WRONG.
>
> 5/22/96
> BY DAVID DYAR
>
> WASHINGTON - THE HEAD OF A U-S SENATE PANEL CONSIDERING IMPOSING
> SANCTIONS AGAINST RANGOON SAYS THE LEGISLATIVE BODY IS CLOSELY
> FOLLOWING THIS WEEK'S ARRESTS IN BURMA. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT
> DAVID DYAR REPORTS THE COMMITTEE ON BANKING HEARD TESTIMONY
> WEDNESDAY ON LEGISLATION TO BAR U-S COMPANIES FROM INVESTING IN
> BURMA.
>
> TEXT: SENATOR ALPHONSE D'AMATO IS A LEADING PROPONENT OF
> LEGISLATION TO IMPOSE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON BURMA BECAUSE OF ITS
> HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD. DURING A HEARING ON THE LEGISLATION, HE
> COMMENTED ON THE EFFECT A NEW WAVE OF ARRESTS OF PRO-DEMOCRACY
> ADVOCATES THIS WEEK IS HAVING ON THE PANEL CONSIDERING THE
> LEGISLATION.
>
> /// D'AMATO ACT ///
>
> THIS COMMITTEE IS WELL AWARE OF SOME OF THE EVENTS THAT
> ARE TAKING PLACE IN BURMA NOW, AND WE WANT TO SERVE
> NOTICE THAT WE ARE DEEPLY DISTRESSED AT THE ARREST OF
> THOSE PEOPLE WHO WANT DEMOCRACY AND WANT THE RIGHT TO
> COME TOGETHER. WE ARE WATCHING THIS.
>
> /// END ACT ///
>
> AT LEAST 90 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DETAINED BY THE JUNTA THIS WEEK, IN
> WHAT ANALYSTS SAY IS AN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT A MEETING OF
> PRO-DEMOCRACY ADVOCATES FROM TAKING PLACE.
>
> ONE OF THE SPONSORS OF THE SANCTIONS LEGISLATION, SENATOR MITCH
> MCCONNELL, SAYS HE IS HOPEFUL THE CONGRESS WILL PASS SANCTIONS
> THIS YEAR.
>
> ONE OF THE WITNESSES AT THE HEARINGS PORTRAYED BURMESE OPPOSITION
> LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI IN THE MOVIE, "BEYOND RANGOON." IT WAS A
> MOVIE CONCERNING THE AFTERMATH OF THE BURMESE MILITARY CRACKDOWN
> ON DEMOCRACY DEMONSTRATORS IN 1988.
>
> THE WOMAN, ADELLE LUTZ, CRITICIZED THE USE THE JUNTA IS MAKING OF
> OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT FUNDS COMING INTO THE COUNTRY.
>
> //// LUTZ ACT ///
>
> FIFTY PERCENT OF EVERYTHING THEY MAKE GOES TOWARD THE
> MILITARY, DEFENSE, WEAPONRY. THEY'RE NOT AT WAR WITH
> ANY OUTSIDE ENEMIES. THEY ARE AT WAR WITH THEIR PEOPLE.
>
> /// END ACT ///
>
> THE PANEL ALSO HEARD TESTIMONY FROM BURMESE OPPOSITION LEADER
> SEIN WIN, WHO HEADS A BURMESE EXILE COALITION. HE TOLD THE
> PANEL. HE SAID IMPOSING SANCTIONS ON BURMA WILL NOT HARM THE
> BURMESE PEOPLE ANY MORE THAN THEY ARE ALREADY BEING HARMED.
>
> THE AMERICAN PETROLEUM COMPANY, UNOCAL, WOULD BE MOST AFFECTED BY
> THE SANCTIONS BECAUSE OF ITS INVOLVEMENT OF DEVELOPING A GAS
> FIELD AND PIPELINE IN BURMA. THE HEAD OF THAT COMPANY IS
> SCHEDULED TO TESTIFY LATER BEFORE THE COMMITTEE.
>
> 5/22/96
> BURMA CRACKDOWN UPDATE
> BY DAN ROBINSON
>
> BANGKOK - LEADERS OF BURMA'S MAIN DEMOCRACY PARTY ARE DISCUSSING
> THEIR POSITION IN THE WAKE OF A NEW CRACKDOWN BY THE RULING
> MILITARY GOVERNMENT. V-O-A'S DAN ROBINSON REPORTS, THE ARRESTS
> OF AT LEAST 87 MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY
> (N-L-D) HAVE DRAWN INTERNATIONAL PROTESTS.
>
> AN N-L-D SPOKESMAN SAYS MOST OF THOSE ARRESTED ARE MEMBERS
> OF A PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN A NATIONWIDE POLL IN 1990, WON
> OVERWHELMINGLY BY THE N-L-D. THE MILITARY IGNORED THE ELECTION
> RESULT AND REFUSED TO TRANSFER POWER TO CIVILIANS.
>
> THE CRACKDOWN IS AN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT A SUNDAY MEETING OF PARTY
> MEMBERS AT THE RANGOON HOME OF DEMOCRACY LEADER AND 1991 NOBEL
> PEACE PRIZE LAUREATE, AUNG SAN SUU KYI.
>
> OBSERVERS IN RANGOON SAY THERE IS NO INDICATION THE MILITARY
> INTENDS TO RE-ARREST AUNG SAN SUU KYI.
>
> LAST YEAR, SHE WAS RELEASED AFTER NEARLY SIX YEARS OF HOUSE
> ARREST, BUT THE MILITARY HAS IGNORED HER CALLS FOR POLITICAL
> DIALOGUE. THE ARRESTS HAVE DRAWN PROTESTS AND CRITICISM FROM
>
> THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN AND INTERNATIONAL HUMAN-RIGHTS GROUPS.
>
> THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT HAS INDICATED THE ARRESTS COULD LEAD TO
> A FURTHER DETERIORATION OF RELATIONS, BUT DID NOT ELABORATE.
>
> 5/22/96
> BURMA CRACKDOWN
> BY DAN ROBINSON
>
> BANGKOK - IN BURMA, DEMOCRACY LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI AND MEMBERS
> OF HER POLITICAL PARTY ARE ASSESSING THEIR POSITION FOLLOWING A
> WAVE OF ARRESTS BY THE RULING MILITARY GOVERNMENT. AS WE HEAR
> FROM V-O-A'S DAN ROBINSON, A NEW CRACKDOWN ON THE NATIONAL
> LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY (N-L-D) IN WHICH 87 OF ITS MEMBERS WERE
> ARRESTED, HAS DRAWN PROTESTS FROM FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS AND HUMAN
> RIGHTS GROUPS:
>
> AN OFFICIAL OF THE N-L-D, SPEAKING BY TELEPHONE, SAID THE
> ARRESTS TOOK PLACE IN RANGOON AND OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.
>
> N-L-D SPOKESMAN -- U AYE WIN -- SAID MOST OF THOSE DETAINED ARE
> LEGITIMATELY-ELECTED MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT FROM AN ELECTION IN
> 1990 WON OVERWHELMINGLY BY THE N-L-D. THE RESULT OF THAT
> ELECTION WAS IGNORED BY BURMA'S GENERALS, WHO TWO YEARS BEFORE
> VIOLENTLY CRUSHED NATIONWIDE PRO-DEMOCRACY DEMONSTRATIONS.
>
> THE JUNTA HAS SINCE HELD ITS OWN CONSTITUTION-DRAFTING
> CONVENTION, ATTENDED BY MOSTLY HAND-PICKED CANDIDATES, AND HAS
> BARRED NOBEL PEACE PRIZE LAUREATE AUNG SAN SUU KYI FROM ANY
> POLITICAL LEADERSHIP ROLE.
>
> AUNG SAN SUU KYI HAS SAID THE LATEST ARRESTS ARE AN ATTEMPT BY
> THE MILITARY TO PREVENT THE N-L-D FROM HOLDING A CONGRESS
> PLANNED FOR SUNDAY. MARKING THE SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1990
> ELECTION VICTORY, IT WOULD BE THE MOST IMPORTANT MEETING FOR
> BURMA'S DEMOCRACY FORCES SINCE AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S RELEASE FROM
> HOUSE ARREST LAST YEAR. THERE HAS SO FAR BEEN NO MENTION OF THE
> ARRESTS IN OFFICIAL MEDIA, WHICH HAVE RECENTLY CARRIED
> COMMENTARIES SHARPLY CRITICIZING AUNG SAN SUU KYI AND HER PARTY.
>
> THERE IS NO INDICATION THE MILITARY INTENDS TO MOVE AGAINST AUNG
> SAN SUU KYI. HOWEVER, REPORTS SAY A KEY MEMBER OF HER STAFF --
> U WIN THEIN -- IS AMONG THOSE ARRESTED.
>
> AMONG FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS PROTESTING THE ARRESTS, THE UNITED
> STATES SAYS IT HAS MADE WHAT IT CALLS THE STRONGEST
> REPRESENTATIONS IN RANGOON AND WASHINGTON. JAPANESE PRIME
> MINISTER RYUTARO HASHIMOTO CALLED THE ARRESTS, IN HIS WORDS,
> "COUNTER TO DEMOCRATIZATION." A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REITERATED
> A CALL FOR BURMA'S MILITARY TO BEGIN A POLITICAL DIALOGUE WITH
> THE N-L-D.
>
> IN BANGKOK, THE BURMESE EMBASSY HAS REFUSED NEW VISA REQUESTS
> FROM A NUMBER OF NEWS ORGANIZATIONS. THE RANGOON JUNTA
>
> MAINTAINS A BLACKLIST OF JOURNALISTS IT SAYS ARE HOSTILE TO IT
> AND THUS BARRED FROM ENTERING THE COUNTRY.
>
> 5/22/96
> BURMA / CRACKDOWN
> BY DAN ROBINSON
>
> BANGKOK - LEADERS OF BURMA'S MAIN DEMOCRACY PARTY, INCLUDING 1991
> NOBEL PEACE PRIZE LAUREATE AUNG SAN SUU KYI, ARE DISCUSSING THEIR
> POSITION IN THE WAKE OF A NEW CRACKDOWN BY THE RULING MILITARY
> GO