Junta Constitution Near

A representative of Burma's military regime has stated that a new

constitution is near completion and that elections will follow its

adoption. Speaking in a BBC interview in Hanoi during a recent meeting

of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, General David Abel gave

no specific dates for passage of the new charter, which has been in the

drafting process for over six years. [The constitution being considered

by a National Convention tightly controlled by the junta gives the

military significant statutory powers in any future government. The

National League for Democracy withdrew from the Convention in November

1996--Ed.] Meanwhile, nearly two dozen groups opposed to Burma's military

regime concluded a meeting in a rebel-controlled area of Burma's Karen

State by endorsing a federal union and rejecting the current National

Convention, saying, "We do not recognise such a convention and deem it

unlawful and a sham."

"BBC World Service," 15 December; "Bangkok Post," 18 December

UN Plan Rejected?

Burma's state-run media has dismissed a United Nations proposal linking

political reforms, including beginning talks with the opposition NLD, with

one

billion dollars of humanitarian and development assistance. A commentary in

the daily New Light of Myanmar said, "National objectives cannot be enticed

and bought with the dollar. To obey such condition is beneath one's

dignity"

The newspaper charged that the UN is aimed at installing a bogodaw, or "wife

of a white alien," in power, a reference to democracy leader Daw Aung Suu

Kyi,

who is married to British academic Michael Aris. [Other reports indicated

that United Nations special envoy Alvaro de Soto would return to Burma

to promote the UN proposal early in 1999--Ed.]

Bangkok, "The Nation," 13 December

New Video Restrictions

Burma's military regime issued new rules requiring licensing of all

videocassette recorders and imposing new controls on the export and

transport of video tapes. The new regulations create a Video Censor

Board and Video Business Central Supervisory Committee. The revisions to

the Television and Video Law of July 1996 also requires licenses for all

satellite receivers. [Opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has

repeatedly sent video tape messages from Rangoon on such occasions as

International Human Rights Day. It is not clear whether the revised law

would criminalize such actions--Ed.]

Rangoon, "Xinhua News Agency," 15 December

Border Attacks Expected

Burma's army junta is expected to launch an intensive dry-season

offensive against Karen, Wa and Shan ethnic rebels along the Thai

frontier, according to senior Thai army officers. The junta's main

thrust is likely to be against the Karen National Union, which has been

battling for greater autonomy for over four decades. Reports from Shan

State say dozens of civilians have been murdered in recent army sweeps

that have again turned areas of the state into "free fire zones."

Bangkok Post, 18 December; "South China Morning Post," 15 December

Pinochet Lesson for Junta?

Some of Burma's ruling generals could face the same fate as former

Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, former Singapore Prime Minister Lee

Kuan Yew warned in an interview with CNN, saying, "They have seen what's

happened to General Pinochet. Some of the things some generals have done

in Burma may well put them into similar predicament." [Singapore has

been an important arms supplier to the Burmese junta, and its companies

are invested heavily there. In July, a UN human rights report warned

that human rights abuses in Burma are so extensive that there must be

political and legal responsibility at the highest level--Ed.]

Singapore, "Agence France Presse," 11 December

L.A. Enacts Burma Sanctions

America's second largest city passed local sanctions on 15 December that

bar any company doing business in Burma from receiving city contracts.

LA joins 22 other U.S., including the largest, New York, which have

already passed similar measures. The action was strongly opposed by the

Los Angeles-based oil giant UNOCAL, which is partner to Burma's military

junta in a billion dollar gas pipeline

Los Angeles, "Reuters," 15 December

Burma News Update and the Burma Project offer all our readers best wishes

for the holiday season and a happy, healthy, prosperous, and peaceful 1999!