[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

(11/19/91)Prime Minister Warned on



Subject: (11/19/91)Prime Minister Warned on Arm Buildup

                          Reuters North American Wire

                      November  19, 1991, Tuesday, PM cycle



HEADLINE: BURMESE LEADER IN U.S. TO WARN ON ARMS BUILDUP- REPORT


   A leading opponent of Burma's military government has been unable to win an
appointment with anyone at the White House to warn U.S. officials about his
country's alarming military buildup, the New York Times reported in its Tuesday 
editions.

   "There is only one superpower left in the world," U  Sein Win  told the
newspaper in an interview in Washington. "We want the United States to use its
influence to cut links with the military regime and impose sanctions." 
    Sein Win  is the head of a provisional government operating from rebel-held 
territory in Burma near the Thai border, which the newspaper said is trying with
scant resources to gain world attention.

   The New York Times said  Sein Win  came to Washington last week. It said he
has been unable to win an interview at the White House to give his warning,
although he has been welcomed by members of Congress and has met with one State 
Department official.

   It said Burma's State Law and Order Restoration Council is being armed with
the help of China and other nations in the region are known to be concerned.

   The New York Times quoted Asian expert David Steinberg as saying China has
sold $1.2 billion in arms, aircraft and patrol boats to Burma since 1988.

    Sein Win's  National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma has had more
success in Europe, the New York Times said. The European Parliament has pledged 
help and the Swedish government has sponsored a resolution that will be
considered within weeks in the U.N. General Assembly.

   The New York Times also quoted  Sein Win  as saying "the country is being run
by uneducated criminals," and said his government rejects as illegitimate

attempts to rename Burma as Myanmar and its capital Rangoon as Yangon. It said
 Sein Win  has pledged to restore the old names.