---------------------------- BurmaNet -------------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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The BurmaNet News: June 11-12, 1996
Issue #441

Noted in Passing:
                Constructive engagement should mean constructively
                engaging with all the  political forces concerned, not just
                with one side. It is time ASEAN reconsidered  the situation.
                -Aung San Suu Kyi
                (See SUU KYI CALL TO BOYCOTT REGIME)

HEADLINES:
==========
THE NATION: ALATAS REJECTS ASEAN REQUEST TO VISIT BURMA
BKK POST: SANCTIONS 'AN OPTION' TO PROMOTE CHANGE: US
STRAITS TIMES : US ENVOY LOOKS TO ASIAN  SOLUTION
SYDNEY MORNING HERALD: SUU KYI CALL TO BOYCOTT REGIME
REUTER : BURMA ARE AN ASIAN PROBLEM
AP: BURMA PART OF PACIFIC GROWTH
AP : RANGOON CALM AMID DIPLOMATIC FLURRY;
BURMESE STILL JAILED
LETTERS TO BANGKOK POST : JUNTA CHALLENGE IS MEANINGLESS
RANGOON RADIO : COMMISSION ACCEPTS RESIGNATION OF
 `ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE'
OPEN LETTER TO FORMER PRIME MINISTER LEE KUAN YEW
NCGUB : ACTION CALL!

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

THE NATION: ALATAS REJECTS ASEAN REQUEST TO VISIT BURMA

June 12, 1996

The Nation

INDONESIAN Foreign Minister Ali Alatas yesterday rejected a
recommendation by senior officials from the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations that he visit Rangoon to express concern
over the growing political tension there.

"Alatas said he will not go to Myanmar (Burma) because Asean
already has a consensus of not interfering in other countries'
internal affairs and hopes that Myanmar can itself resolve the
problem peacefully," Ghaffar Fadyl, spokesman for the Indonesian
Foreign Ministry said.

During an informal meeting on Sunday in Bukittinggi, West
Sumatra, to prepare for a two-day Asean-China consultative
meeting to be held next Monday and Tuesday, senior grouping
officials agreed to ask Alatas, chairman of the Asean Standing
Committee, to meet leaders of the Burmese junta and opposition
leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

It was unclear whether leaders of other Asean states still want
to continue with the plan Alatas rejected, but Jakarta's refusal
was described by Western diplomats are reflecting the difficulty
Asean has in achieving a unified position on the current
situation in Burma.

Thailand has by far been the most vocal in expressing concern
about the situation in its neighbouring country.

In Manila yesterday, Philippine President Fidel Ramos was non-
committal to a US request for a common stance of Southeast Asian
states on the situation in Burma, reiterating that it was an
internal affair and that Manila would rather adopt a wait-and-see
approach.

Speaking from Manila after meeting Ramos, special US envoy,
William Brown urged regional leaders to forge an Asian solution
to the military crackdown in Burma.

"This is first, last and always an Asian situation. An Asian
solution and hopefully Asean solutions are applicable here," he
said.

But Julius Caesar Parrenas of the Manila-based Institute for
International and Strategic Studies said the envoy's approach
would not produce result.

I don't think that the aggressive approach that the US is taking
is going to be very effective," he said. "Asean is doing the
sensible thing."

He urged the fate of the junta would depend more on "the reaction
of the Burmese public" than the outside world.

Tension has been rising in Burmese since late last month when Suu
Kyi called for a NLD congress.

In an attempt to thwart the meeting, the government arrested over
250 NLD members and later released a number of them. Last week it
introduced a tough new law sentencing people to up 20 years in
prison if they perform acts or distribute information deemed
likely to undermine state stability or community tranquility.

In a contrasting mood yesterday, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and
Foreign Minister Amnuay Viravan said an Asean dialogue with
Rangoon on their current internal situation was possible and
should be seen as reflecting a legitimate concern towards
neighbouring states.

"We have legitimate concerns as a friendly neighbour to talk to
Rangoon about its internal politics," Amnuay said before a
luncheon with foreign ambassadors in Bangkok.

Amnuay is scheduled to meet two special US envoys, William Brown
and Stanley Roth, on Friday in Pattaya during their visit to
Thailand. US President Bill Clinton wrote to prime Minister
Banharn Silapa-archa and asked him to arrange a meeting with the
senior government officials.

The two are on a six-nation tour which has taken them to Japan.
They were in Manila yesterday and are to visit Indonesia,
Singapore, Malaysia, as well as Thailand.

The envoys, who arrive on Friday on the final leg of a regional
tour, are on a mission to coordinate an international response to
the military crackdown in Burma.

But Amnuay said while Thailand welcomed their concerns,
ultimately Asean's response to the Rangoon standoff would not be
the result of international pressure.

"We are ready to exchange ideas and listen to opinions and
suggestions form any country, particularly those playing
important roles in the world such as Japan, the US and European
countries," he said. "But (regarding Burma), it's a matter of
Asean having its own way."

Amnuay also confirmed the Asean senior official's recommendation
for Alatas to visit Rangoon. He said the proposed trip would
mainly involve discussions around Burma's observer status and its
participation in the Asean Regional Forum (ARF).

Burma is expected to be given observer status in Asean at a
meeting of foreign ministers from the grouping's seven member
nations in Jakarta next month. At an ARF meeting last month in
Yogjakarta, central Java, 18 member states, which included the US
agreed to accept Burma, along with India, as full members.

It was unclear whether this decision could be reversed. So far,.
There has been no letter from any ARF member wanting a reversal
of the decision.

In Jakarta, Alatas said yesterday Asean would maintain a policy
of constructive engagement with Burma despite the current
political tension in that country.

"Our position is clear. Asean's position on Burma has not changed
from what it calls the constructive approach to try and to pull
Burma out of isolation," he said.

He added that Asean - which groups Indonesia, Malaysia, the
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Brunei - saw no
benefit from Burma's isolation.

"We in Asean will keep firmly to the principle that we don't
interfere in each other's domestic affairs," he said.

Indonesia has been a staunch supporter of Burma and a leading
advocate of Asean's policy of constructive engagement with the
Rangoon government.

He made the statement ahead of a visit by the two US special
envoys today and tomorrow to discuss a coordinated response to
tension between Burma's military rulers and Suu Kyi. (TN&BP)

******************

BKK POST: SANCTIONS 'AN OPTION' TO PROMOTE CHANGE: US

June 12, 1996

Washington, AFP

THE US State Department has said it considered sanctions to be
"an option" in its attempts to end the harassment of opposition
leaders in Burma.

"We continue to be concerned by the harassment" of the
opposition, most notably its chief leader, Aung San Suu Kyi,"
said department spokesman Nicholas Burns.

He said "sanctions are an option", and described the ruling
junta's decision to ban the opposition from meeting "a blatant
restriction of individual freedoms under the UN Charter". (BP)
**********************************************

MYANMAR: US ENVOY LOOKS TO ASIAN  SOLUTION

June 12, 1996
Straits Times
MANILA -- Political tensions in Myanmar are an Asian problem and
require Asian solutions, a US special envoy said yesterday. "This is first,
last and always an Asian situation and Asian solutions, and hopefully Asean
solutions, are applicable here," envoy William Brown told Reuters after
meeting Philippine President Fidel Ramos.

He declined to disclose details of his meeting with Mr Ramos on the second
stop of a six-nation tour by him and security expert Stanley Roth.

The Americans were sent by US President Bill Clinton to discuss a co
ordinated response to tensions between Myanmar's military rulers and the
democracy movement led by Aung San Suu Kyi.

The US envoys arrived here from Japan and left for Singapore yesterday.

They are also due to visit Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

"It was a very positive meeting and we deeply respect the wisdom that was
imparted to us," Mr Brown said of his meeting at the presidential palace in
Manila.

He did not give details of what Asean solution was being envisaged.

In Tokyo, Japanese Foreign Ministry officials suggested that Japan and the
US could raise Myanmar during an Asean foreign ministers' meeting in
Jakarta next month.

They said, however, that it should be discussed on the fringes of the
meeting rather than as part of the main agenda.

Meanwhile, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said in Jakarta that
there would be no change in his country's non-interference policy towards
Myanmar.

"Our position is already clear, it is like Asean's position towards
Myanmar and it has not changed," he said. "We don't see any use in isolating
Myanmar."

Asean nations have said they prefer persuasion to more confrontational
measures in response to the Myanmar government's unwillingness to
tolerate dissent.

The government, called the State Law and Order Restoration Council, last
week introduced a law providing for up to 20 years in jail for anyone who
acts or distributes information deemed likely to undermine state stability
or community peace and tranquillity.

It also threatened further measures against "destructive" activities.

Both the law and the warning were apparently aimed at Ms Suu Kyi's
National League for Democracy.

In the latest of a series of speeches that have attracted thousands of people
to her Yangon home, the NLD leader said on Sunday that she was confident of
eventual victory.

More than 250 NLD members were arrested ahead of a national party
congress late last month at her home, the first such meeting since her
release from six years of house arrest in July last year.

Most have since been freed but around 30 are still being held, including
one of her close aides. -- Reuter, AFP.
**********************************************

SUU KYI CALL TO BOYCOTT REGIME

BURMA
June 12, 1996
Sydney Morning Herald:
By MARK BAKER, Herald Correspondent in Rangoon

The Burmese democracy leader, Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, has called for the
country's  exclusion from all regional organisations until the military
regime agrees to  negotiate a return to civilian rule.

Ms Suu Kyi said the latest attempt by the ruling State Law and Order
Restoration  Council (SLORC) to silence her National League for Democracy
proved repression  in Burma was worse than ever and showed that the
"constructive engagement"  policy of regional governments was a failure.

"It is quite clear that Burma under SLORC is not going to be an asset to any
regional organisation," she said.

Ms Suu Kyi praised efforts by Australia and other Western governments
for a  tougher stance on Burma at next month's round of regional foreign
ministers'  meetings in Jakarta.

The seven-member Association of South-East Asian Nations is expected to
take  further steps towards admitting Burma as a member and the ASEAN
Regional  Forum - a broader security group which includes the United
States and Australia -  is set to ratify Rangoon's admission.

Burma is expected to dominate the Jakarta meeting after the recent arrest
of  more than 270 NLD members and the imposition of a new law under
which the  party can be immediately banned and its leaders jailed for up to
20 years.

Ms Suu Kyi said ASEAN should review its policy of constructive
engagement,  under which regional governments have expanded commercial
links with Burma,  arguing that this was the best way to encourage
political change.

 She condemned the strategy and the failure of Asian governments to engage
with  the NLD, which won a landslide election victory in 1990 but was
blocked from  power by the military.

 "If anything, SLORC is more repressive now than when ASEAN started its
constructive engagement policy," she said.

 "Constructive engagement should mean constructively engaging with all
the  political forces concerned, not just with one side. It is time ASEAN
reconsidered  the situation."

 Ms Suu Kyi said she was determined to continue holding weekend rallies
outside  her Rangoon home, which have drawn record crowds of jubilant
supporters in  recent weeks.

 But she refused to comment on the NLD's plan to draft a new national
constitution, the move which triggered the political showdown. She said the
party  was drafting an official response to the new laws, including its
stance on the  constitutional issue.

 Diplomats and local analysts believe the NLD may be considering a
strategic  retreat in its campaign against the regime to avoid a devastating
ban on the party  and further arrests.

 But Ms Suu Kyi, who was released last July after spending six years under
house  arrest, said she was not afraid of jail.

 She praised the Australian Government's strong stand against the regime's
latest  actions. "We've always appreciated any support from Australia. It
needs to be  involved because it is really part of the Asian region now, one
of the strong  democracies in Asia."
********************************************

BURMA ARE AN ASIAN PROBLEM

MANILA, June 11 (Reuter) - Political tensions in Burma are
an Asian problem and require Asian solutions, a U.S. special
envoy said on Tuesday.

``This is first, last and always an Asian situation and
Asian solutions, and hopefully ASEAN solutions, are applicable
here,'' envoy William Brown told Reuters after meeting
Philippine President Fidel Ramos.

Brown declined to disclose details of his meeting with
Ramos, the second stop on a six-nation tour by Brown and
security expert Stanley Roth.

The Americans were sent by U.S. President Bill Clinton to
discuss a co-ordinated response to tensions between Burma's
military rulers and the democracy movement led by Aung Sang Suu
Kyi.

The U.S. envoys arrived here from Japan and will leave for
Singapore later on Tuesday.

They are also due to visit Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand
who, together with the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and
Brunei, make up ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations).

``It was a very positive meeting and we deeply respect the
wisdom that was imparted to us,'' Brown said of his meeting at
the presidential palace in Manila.

``We remain of course very concerned about the situation (in
Burma)... We are all very hopeful for the prevention of
bloodshed and for a reconciliation and dialogue among those
involved,'' he added.

Brown did not give details of what ASEAN solution was being
envisaged. In Tokyo, Japanese foreign ministry officials
suggested Tokyo and Washington could raise Burma during an ASEAN
foreign ministers' meeting in Jakarta next month.

They said, however, that it should be discussed on the
fringes of the meeting rather than as part of the main agenda.

ASEAN nations have said they prefer pursuasion than more
confrontational measures in response to the Burmese government's
unwillingness to tolerate dissent.

The government, called the State Law and Order Restoration
Council, last week introduced a law providing for up to 20 years
in jail for anyone who acts or distributes information deemed
likely to undermine state stability or community peace and
tranquillity.

It also threatened further measures against ``destructive''
activities.

Both the law and the warning were apparently aimed at Suu
Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD).

In the latest of a series of speeches that have attracted
thousands of people to her Rangoon home, Suu Kyi said on Sunday
she was confident of eventual victory.

More than 250 NLD members were arrested ahead of a national
party congress late last month at Suu Kyi's home, the first such
meeting since her release from six years of house arrest in July
last year.

Most have since been freed but around 30 are still held,
including one of Suu Kyi's close aides.
*****************************************

AP: BURMA PART OF PACIFIC GROWTH

Report: Pacific Economy To Grow
        
SINGAPORE (AP) - After a soft landing in 1995, the economies of
the Pacific region will grow faster in 1996 and 1997 even as
inflation keeps falling, a respected business group says in a report
released Tuesday.
        
The average economic growth of 20 countries surveyed will be 3.9
percent in 1996 and 4.2 percent in 1997 compared with 3.5 percent
in 1995, said the report by the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council.
        
This shows that comprehensive market oriented reforms, "while
difficult to accomplish ... do promote growth," it said.
        
Average inflation is expected to fall sharply from 8.6 percent in
1995 to 4.8 percent in 1996, primarily due to expected  improvements
in Mexico and Russia, said the report titled Pacific Economic
Outlook.
        
It is the eighth such report released by the PECC. Previous
forecasts have come within a half-percentage point of actual growth.
        
The PECC is an independent organization of high-level business,
research and government representatives from 22 Asia-Pacific
economies. Its aim is to foster economic development by providing a
forum for discussion.
        
The report also forecast that due to growing Japanese investments,
Burma, India and Vietnam could become integral parts of
the Southeast Asian economy.
        
Japanese investments, a "major force leading to economic
integration in the region," have increasingly been diverted in
recent years from China to these three countries, the report said.
        
"If this trend continues, then it could well be that these three
countries will become integral parts of the region as well," it said.
        
On the U.S. economy, the report said doubts remain about its
underlying strength. It could fall into a recession if the Federal
Reserve doesn't take action on monetary policies for fear it would
be unpopular during an election year.
        
The report forecast U.S. real gross domestic product growth of
1.7 percent in 1996 and 2.3 percent in 1997 with inflation of 2.6
percent in 1996 and 2.1 percent in 1997.
        
China, the region's "newest engine," will grow by 9.0 percent in
1996 and 8.5 percent in 1997, it said. Inflation will ease to 12.6
percent in 1996 and 9.2 percent in 1997, the report forecast, adding
that speeding up reforms of state-owned enterprises is the key to
China's economic management.
        
China has been the recipient of massive inflows of foreign
investment in recent years, but the increase is likely to taper off.
        
"Chinese policy is entering a stage in which it is now giving
more attention to attracting high-quality foreign direct investment,
and is no longer interested in just labor-intensive production," the
report said.
             
Copyright 1996 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
**************************************************

RANGOON CALM AMID DIPLOMATIC FLURRY;
BURMESE STILL JAILED

AP-Dow Jones News Service
6/11 AP Dow Jones: Rangoon Calm

RANGOON -- Despite prodding from the United States, Burma's neighbors
proved reluctant Tuesday to get involved in the tense confrontation between
pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the military regime, reports
the Associated Press.

Two U.S. envoys visiting the region to find a common response to the
recent crackdown on Burma's opposition found President Fidel Ramos of
the Philippines unwilling to take a stand on what was characterized as a
Burmese 'internal affair.'

Meanwhile, officials in Indonesia denied reports that Foreign Minister Ali
Alatas would express concerns to the Burmese regime on behalf of the
seven-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

 'We do not see the importance of isolating Burma,' Alatas told reporters in
Jakarta. 'The ASEAN holds the principle of non-interference in the
domestic affairs of other nations.'

 Rangoon was calm. Government officials were unavailable for comment on
the diplomacy aimed at defusing the country's biggest crisis since Suu Kyi
was released from six years of house arrest last July.

 Suu Kyi, winner of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize, kept a public silence as
her National League for Democracy sought a way to cope with harsh new
laws threatening 20 years' imprisonment for anyone seeking to
'undermine the stability of the state, community peace and tranquility.'

 Suu Kyi softened rhetoric at gatherings of supporters last weekend to
avoid violating the laws. The crowds nonetheless remained large -- about
5,000 people, more than twice the usual number, braving arrest to hear
her speak.

 Opposition sources said that 108 of the 262 people arrested in efforts to
prevent a congress of Suu Kyi's party three weeks ago remained in custody.
None has been released in more than a week. About 20 are thought to have
been sent to a prison notorious for torture.

The U.S. envoys, William Brown and Stanley Roth, met Ramos in Manila.
Despite playing a leading role a decade ago in the ouster of Philippine
dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Ramos was noncommital about Burma's
problems.

A presidential palace official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said
Ramos, like other ASEAN leaders, told Roth and Brown that he still viewed
the developments as an internal affair of Burma.

 'We cannot really take particular action on it because it is their internal
affair,' the Filipino official said.

 The official said Ramos noted that Burma's rulers have not taken any
harsh action yet against Suu Kyi. He said Manila will watch to see how the
situation develops.

 ASEAN countries include the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

 Burma is being groomed as ASEAN's next member. The association's policy
toward Rangoon is one of 'constructive engagement' -- that trading with
the junta will lead to respect for human rights.

 Suu Kyi says the policy will entrench the rule of the State Law and Order
Restoration Council, which refused to recognize parliamentary elections
in 1990 overwhelmingly won by pro-democracy candidates. The military
has ruled Burma since 1962.

 Indonesia, the current chairman of ASEAN, denied reports that the group
plans to send Foreign Minister Alatas to Rangoon to express concerns over
the recent crackdown.

 'There is definitely no such plan on our side and what's more it is an
internal affair of Burma,' said Foreign Office spokesman Ghaffar Fadyl.

 Meeting Suu Kyi would mark a significant step for ASEAN. Of the member
countries, only Thailand sent a diplomatic observer to her party congress
marking the sixth anniversary of the elections.

 Brown described the meeting with Ramos as 'very positive.'

 'We are looking for ASEAN solutions and Asian models and certainly the
Philippines provides an outstanding model for internal reconciliation,' he
said.

 Brown and Roth, both veterans in Asia-Pacific affairs, later flew to
Singapore on the second leg of their campaign, which will also take them to
Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.
*******************************************

JUNTA CHALLENGE IS MEANINGLESS

Letters To Bangkok Post
June 11, 1996 Postbag
SIR: The National League for Democracy Congress is over, but the State Law
and Order Restoration Committee (SLORC) government is still busy
making quixotic acts of confrontation against Burma's strongest political
force, the National League for Democracy.

Many of the elected members of parliament and NLD leaders are still in
jail. Forced public meetings are still in process to denounce the NLD
leaders led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and government newspapers are
printing all the crude, wild and vulgar words they can collect for their
abusive campaign. To the SLORC, it's a never-ending war.

In the other camp, at the NLD headquarters, the atmosphere is cool and
composed. The leaders are busy materialising the task endowed to them by
the Congress.

The Congress issued a statement which states in part: "The armed forces
are a necessary institution in the country and we endorse the view that the
armed forces should be an honourable institution which will take care of
the defence of the nation and help bring about democracy."

The NLD leaders are still offering the olive branch to, and seeking dialogue
with, the SLORC. Still the response is negative.

One of the task the Congress entrusted the Central Executive Committee is
the responsibility of drafting a state constitution that would win the
support of the people, in the interest of the democratic cause. Again the
decision scares the SLORC.

Accordingly, the state-owned newspapers wrote: "If a single party writes a
constitution to its own liking and threatens the stability of the country by
pressure and coercion, it could be declared an unlawful association."

There seems no problem for the NLD leaders regarding the SLORC assault
because the constitution is already written and ready for ratification. Soon
after the election in 1990, the elected members of parliament had already
done their ground work for the constitution.

On July 28, 1990, on the seventh waxing day of Waguang, the elected NLD
parliament members assembled at the Mahatama Gandhi Hall in Rangoon.

At the assembly the parliament members wrote an Interim Constitution by
making amendments to the 1947 Original Law of the Constitution. The
document states: "In exercise of the authority of the 1947 Constitution,
Article (11) Section (207) the People's Assembly, Pyi Thu Hluttaw
(Parliament) hereby abrogates, alters, supplements, the Articles shown
below, which are severely amended..."

Many sections and articles were accepted in the original and many were
annulled and many clauses were added at the assembly. Thus, the NLD
Interim Constitution is already written, drafted and legally approved.

Burma, a colonial state of the British Empire, was liberated on the
strength of the original 1947 Constitution. The constitution ratified by the
Constituent Assembly is the most important official legal document in
modern Burma. Under this constitution, people have the right to choose
their own leaders to govern them. Judicial independence and personal
freedom are guaranteed by the constitution.

Of course, there are some weaknesses and failures in the original
constitution. Prime Minister U Nu and many ethnic leaders noticed the
loopholes and while they were trying to make amendments to the
constitution, by way of democratic process, the Burmese military leaders
staged a coup and abolished the constitution in 1962.

A new constitution was introduced in 1974 but on September 18, 1988
the SLORC dissolved the 1974 constitutional parliament and other
functions. The SLORC has never nullified either the 1947 or the 1974
constitutions. Thus in a way the 1947 constitutionalists can claim that
1947 is still a legal law.

Consequently, the NLD Interim Constitution of 1990 is a legal document
already subsisted and the SLORC challenge of declaring unlawful association
is totally meaningless for the people and the NLD leaders.

U Thaung, Editor  New Era Journal, Florida

 Given the worse, what will we do?

SIR: Suppose SLORC grows increasingly intolerant of the meetings held
outside Aung San Suu Kyi's house. Suppose scuffles and stone-throwing
break out. Suppose SLORC replies with gun fire and a few people are killed.
Suppose widespread street demonstrations break out across Rangoon in
response to calls for the 1990 general election results to be upheld.
Suppose SLORC continues to kill and disperse democracy protestors by
bullet in a grim repetition of 1988.

Given this dire scenario, what would the governments of the West and
ASEAN do? At what point would the atrocities of SLORC justify a
multinational blockade or armed intervention with the sole purpose of
getting SLORC out?

KS Krabi
***********************************************

BURMA: COMMISSION ACCEPTS RESIGNATION OF
 `ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE'

 Rangoon Radio Myanmar in Burmese, 1330 GMT 9 Jun 96

The Multiparty Democratic General Elections Commission of the Union of
Burma has issued Announcement No. 1265 on 9 June 1996.

 The Announcement No. 1265 says the commission has accepted the
resignation of Dr. Sit Tin as "elected representative" of the People's
Assembly from Ngaputaw Township Constituency-2, Irrawaddy Division. It
says he, due to "poor health and lack of desire to engage in politics,"
submitted the resignation "of his own will" and his resignation will be
effective today. The announcement was signed by Aye Maung, secretary of
the commission. The commission accepted the resignation in accordance
with Section 11, Subsection E of the People's Assembly Election Law.
*************************************

OPEN LETTER TO FORMER PRIME MINISTER LEE KUAN YEW

        We are the Burmese students who fled to the Thai-Burmese border
after the 1988 bloody military coup staged by the State Law and Order
Restoration Council (SLORC). We managed to escape the brutal suppression
of the pro-democracy activists, but hundreds of thousands of our
colleagues have been killed, tortured, and many of them are being held
behind bars for their calls for democracy and human rights in their
motherland. We, the undersigned students, are committed to work for the
restoration of democracy and human rights in Burma.

        We deeply deplore your recent comment on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi,
1990 Nobel Peace Prize laureate of Burma.  SLORC has ignored the result of
the 1990 election where NLD won 85 % of the seats and has continuously
cracked down on the opposition. SLORC has been condemned by the United
Nations and international community for its human rights violations and
its failure to transfer power to the people-elected representatives.
However, most Asian countries, especially ASEAN-member countries, are
trading and continuing economic relations with SLORC claiming
"Constructive Engagement" is the best policy for democratization in Burma.
At the same time, these countries including Singapore are turning blind
eyes to the human rights abuses in Burma perpetrated by the ruling
military junta and the lack of rule of law in the country. The recent
crackdown on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her election winning NLD party
clearly expresses that constructive engagement has moved neither Burma nor
SLORC towards democratization.  A few Asian countries expressed their
concern about the SLORC's suppression of the democratic forces while
others ignored the political suppression inside Burma as "internal
affairs."  It is a preposterous contradiction for you to say that Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi may not be able to govern her country and would be better off
remaining a political symbol while your government is saying they do not
want to interfere in Burma's internal affairs.

        Since her almost six years under house arrest, Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi has called for dialogue in order to solve the political problems in
Burma. Her repeated calls for dialogue have been ignored by the SLORC.
Moreover, SLORC has openly threatened to ban the NLD if they continue
democratic activities. We strongly denounce the SLORC's refusal to engage
in dialogue, the best way to solve the political dilemma in Burma.  We
express our complete support for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her calls for
dialogue.

        We have been urging the international community to pressure for
the accomplishment of dialogue between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and SLORC.
While we believe in the people's power inside Burma, we also understand
that international pressure could push the SLORC to the political
roundtable. Instead of putting pressure on the SLORC, most ASEAN countries
including Singapore are dealing with SLORC and enjoying the economic
privilege under the name of "Constructive Engagement." Moreover, your
recent comment on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, our leader of the democratic
movement against the military dictatorship, is deplorable. The support for
her by the people was clearly expressed in the 1990 election and is
evident now in the increasingly growing gatherings in front of her
residence as an act of defiance by the people against the military's
unlawful laws and orders.
        We would like to ask you to look at Burma's situation as the
struggle between the ruling military regime (SLORC) and democracy-loving
Burmese people led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.  Suggesting that Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi, who is recognized as the leader of the democratic struggle in
Burma, should remain only a political symbol is an insult to the will of
the whole Burmese people. We are also wondering if your statement was made
in order to defend your so-called "Asian Value"  that promotes male
chauvinism and seniority.

        We would like to ask you in regard to your recent comment on Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi to recognize the crucial importance of her active
participation in politics and to make a public apology for your previous
comment.  Also we would li you to "interfere"  in the situation of Burma
by pressuring SLORC to begin genuine political dialogue with Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi immediately.  This would be genuine constructive engagement for
the Burmese people.  Finally we would like you to advocate that your
government stop foreign investment in Burma and its alleged secret arms
sales to SLORC.

        Sincerely yours,

        undersigned by
        Overseas National Students Organization of Burma
        Burmese Students Association (Safe Area)
        All Burma Students' Democratic Front
        All Burma Basic Education Students Union (Thailand)
        Federation Trade Union  of Burma.

Date: June 11, 1996
*******************************

BURMA'S JUNTA ITS OWN WORST ENEMY

SOURCE :INTELASIA
                  
When Burma's military junta released the pro-democracy
leader Ms Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest nearly a year ago it
was widely seen as a sign of strength. The economy was growing and
ethnic unrest had been subdued. Freedom for their most feared
opponent was a luxury the State Law and Order Restoration Council
(Slorc) felt it could afford.

At first they seemed to be proved right. Japanese business
started to take a keen interest and the country was promised
admission to the Association of South-East Asian Nations.

Events of the past week have taken off some of that
shine. The regime's hardline response to Ms Suu Kyi's seemingly
innocuous plans for a conference of her National League for
Democracy has backfired both internally and externally. Despite harsh
warnings from the official media, the crowds who gathered outside
her house were the largest ever, and external criticism came not
only from the West, as expected, but also from previously silent
partners such as Japan, South Korea and Thailand.

But despite the regime's claims that last week's arrests
of more than 250 NLD leaders saved the country from "anarchy", the
government, backed by a 380,000-strong army, is not about
to be challenged by a small unarmed group with little more than
courage and a six-year-old election victory on their side.

"Short of violence, there isn't going to be much change
in the short term," said Mr Eugene Davis, managing director of Finansa
Thai, a merchant bank which invests in Burma. "Whatever she [Ms Suu
Kyi] does won't undermine stability. Slorc is pretty firmly in control."

"Slorc actually thinks they have been lenient," said one
observer in Rangoon. "They can always crack down for real. Some officials
might worry about what the international reaction would
be, but many really mean it when they say they don't give a damn."

Much of Slorc's bravado stems from having been able to
tame the ethnic strife that plagued them through much of the early
1990s.

Ceasefire agreements have been signed with 15 of the 16 armed
groups operating around the country and negotiations are currently
under way with the last to hold out, the Karen National Union.

Khun Sa's opium army surrendered early this year, leaving
the drug trade untouched but allowing Slorc to redirect troops
elsewhere.

Meanwhile, the economy continues to grow, although how much
and why is a subject of debate. Because of a dual exchange rate
which subsidises the most important state enterprises, 8 per cent
growth rates are probably inflated. The budget deficit and
consumption levels have been increasing while overall and
private investment (as a percentage of gross domestic product)
have been declining, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Yet because most private investment is funnelled through
joint ventures with state enterprises or other government-affiliated
organisations, Slorc officials are the ones that feel the economic
growth most directly and are able to funnel some of the proceeds
into increased military spending.

But if Ms Suu Kyi cannot directly challenge Slorc's rule,
she can provoke it, as she did again yesterday by announcing that
the NLD would draw up a new constitution to rival that being
drafted by the military.

This fluid situation is likely to expose rifts within
Slorc. "As long as they did nothing, it was easy to remain unified," one
diplomat said.

"But if they are forced to react, debates about how to do
so are bound to appear. That could be a real problem for them
down the line."

Negotiations with the ethnic groups already may have provoked
some disagreements, analysts say. Efforts to deal with
the groups by

Gen Khin Nyunt, Slorc's first secretary, have been viewed
with some scepticism by the more hardened military men who would
prefer to pursue all-out military victory.

This rift is said to extend into how to deal with the
NLD, with the military establishment preaching relative restraint to
avoid bearing the responsibility for a potentially bloody crackdown,
and Gen Kyin Nyunt taking a harder line, fearing that momentum for
the NLD could upset the delicate balance he has forged in the provinces.
***********************************************

       Day of  Solidarity

NATIONAL COALITION GOVERNMENT OF THE UNION OF BURMA
---------------------------------------------------
815 Fifteenth St NW, Suite 910, Washington DC 20005

ACTION CALL! ACTION CALL!  ACTION CALL!  ACTION CALL!

The military regime in Burma has been stepping up its
repressive measures against the Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and
her party, the National League for Democracy, which won
the elections in 1990.  The recent unlawful arrest of
elected NLD representatives and other activists to
prevent the NLD from holding a conference and the
arbitrary passage of a law which threatens activists
with 5 to 20 years imprisonment and the confiscation of
their property are glaring examples of the regime's
moves to curb the democracy movement in Burma.

The only reason that the military regime has not
abolished the National League for Democracy outright and
arrested its leaders is because it fears further
international outcry which can withhold investment,
loans and aid.  The military regime waits for an
opportunity today to crack down on the democracy
movement, and it is expected to adverse reaction from
the international community.

In light of these developments, the National Coalition
Government of the Union of Burma believes that if human
rights and democracy are to be restored in Burma, it is
crucial for the International community to continually
express its iron-clad solidarity with Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi and the National League for Democracy and at the
same time to strongly condemn the ongoing repressive
moves by the military regime.

With this objective in mind, the National Coalition
Government of the Union of Burma has designated June
19,1996 as the Action Day for Burma.  The day also marks
the 51st birthday of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

We call on Burmese communities, individuals and support
groups helping Burma, and people who wish to see justice
in Burma to hold commemorative activities on or around
June 19 to celebrate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's 51st
birthday and to express their solidarity with the
democracy movement in Burma.
-----------------------------------------------------
Fax: (202) 393-7343  Tel:(202) 393-7342  (202)393-4312

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

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BurmaNet regularly receives enquiries on a number of different
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