[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index
][Thread Index
]
1/10/98:AAP NEWS
BURMA ASIA: BURMA TELLS UN TO STAY OUT OF "DOMESTIC" AFFAIRS
DATE: 07:31 01-Oct-98
ASIA: BURMA TELLS UN TO STAY OUT OF "DOMESTIC" AFFAIRS BURMA
(CARRIED EARLIER)
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 30 AFP - Burma's junta today told the UN not
to push for democratic reforms in the country, while the opposition
warned of an imminent popular "explosion" against the regime.
"There are those who would like to use the United Nations to
interfere in matters which are essentially within the domestic
jurisdiction of Myanmar (Burma)," the junta's Foreign Minister
U Ohn Gyaw told the General Assembly.
"Political pressure has been put on us by those who would like
us to adopt not only democracy, but would like also to
transplant a democracy in their own mould," U Ohn Gyaw said.
Each year for the past seven years the UN General Assembly
has passed a resolution condemning the military regime in
Burma for human rights abuses.
The Burmese government in exile called on the General Assembly
to pass a tougher resolution this year allowing for
international sanctions unless Rangoon complies with UN resolutions.
"If the regime still doesn't see the explosive situation,
there will be an explosion," said Sein Win, the prime minister of the
government which was elected in 1990 but prevented from taking office.
"In the near future, if this regime refuses to have a dialogue,
the situation is leading to a nationwide uprising," said Thaung
Htun, the exiled government's UN representative.
At a press conference at the United Nations held even as
the junta's foreign minister spoke, Win insisted the resolution "must
contain action-oriented measures to address the problem".
Thaung Htun said the resolution should call for a "voluntary
arms embargo" against the regime, which could be followed by
possible Security Council action.
The US, Canada and the European Union, have already put in
place economic sanctions and boycotts to pressure the Rangoon
government on human rights. So have a slew of US cities,
counties and states.
The junta has stepped up its propaganda campaign against
domestic opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi after her National
League for Democracy (NLD) called for the convening of the
parliament elected in 1990, which the junta has never allowed
to meet.
AFP cjh
BURMA-JUNTA ASIA: BURMESE JUNTA
IN A MUDDLE DEALING WITH VOCAL OPPONENTS
DATE: 15:25 01-Oct-98
ASIA: BURMESE JUNTA IN A MUDDLE DEALING WITH VOCAL OPPONENTS BURMA JUNTA
By Kieron Flynn
BANGKOK, Oct 1 AFP - Burma's junta is increasingly confused
about how to deal with its vocal pro-democracy opponents,
analysts say, noting mixed signals from the various arms of
the all-powerful military.
While press releases sent to foreign correspondents and the
English-language New Light of Burma often take a conciliatory
tone, the Burmese-language media and officials within the
country are adopting a hard line against opponents who seek their
removal from office, they say.
"There has been a marked change of tone in what they are
saying in English," said one foreign diplomat in Yangon.
"It's as if someone else is writing the press releases for
them, perhaps a native English-speaker."
The junta initially ignored the May call by the leading
opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) for parliament to
be convened, but has since branded the move illegal and
said democracy would be gradually introduced in Burma, others
noted.
"They've taken this international stance of saying 'we are
a developing nation and must take things slowly, but we also want
democracy'," another diplomat in the Burmese capital said.
"But domestically, they have told the NLD they won't tolerate
any convening of parliament and that the party iteslf could be
outlawed if they persist."
The NLD, led by Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, claims
more than 1,000 of its members and supporters have been
detained since the May demand. The NLD-led opposition won 1990
polls by a landslide but the junta has refused to
relinquish power.
"It's as if there are two stories here," said the first diplomat.
"For international consumption, it is a government doing its
best in difficult circumstances. For domestic consumption, it is
the usual threat and use of force. Either you do what you're
told or you go to jail."
The junta has been at pains to stress internationally that no
NLD members are being ill-treated.
Photographs posted on the junta Internet site show the
detainees eating, resting and talking at government "guesthouses" and
the English-language progaganda regularly talks of former
dissidents making peace with authorities.
"They have been hurt by all the international criticism and
realise it is getting them nowhere," said the second diplomat.
"Now they want legitmacy and they know they only way is to
show they are moving towards democracy."
NLD chiefs, excluding Aung San Suu Kyi and others who are not
officially recognised as political figures, recently met with
junta representatives and authorities have repeatedly called
for a united effort to develop Burma, one of the world's poorest
countries.
"At the same time they are locking people up at a faster
rate than ever," the second diplomat said.
"The two approaches just don't gel. If they are serious
about reconciliation then I have yet to see any proof."
The junta yesterday told the United Nations not to push for
democratic reforms in the country, while the opposition warned
of an imminent popular "explosion" against the regime.
"There are those who would like to use the United Nations
to interfere in matters which are essentially within the domestic
jurisdiction of Burma," junta Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw told
the UN General Assembly.
"Political pressure has been put on us by those who would
like us to adopt not only democracy, but would like also to
transplant a democracy in their own mold," he said.
Each year for the past seven years the UN General Assembly
has passed a resolution condemning the military regime in
Burma for human rights abuses.
The Burmese government in exile called on the General
Assembly to pass a tougher resolution this year allowing for
international sanctions against Rangoon unless it complies
with UN resolutions.
"If the regime still doesn't see the explosive situation,
there will be an explosion," said Sein Win, the prime minister of the
government which was elected in 1990 but prevented from taking office.
AFP ts