NLD Sues Junta

The National League for Democracy (NLD) filed a legal complaint on 14

January against Burmese junta military intelligence chief Lieutenant

General Khin Nyunt, accusing the regime of "destroying" the

legally-registered party and using intimidation to compel its members to

resign. The complaint was in late December with Myanmar Chief Justice

Aung Toe, but analysts say the NLD has no chance of even winning a

hearing for its arguments. A junta statement has dismissed the complaint

as a "symbolic gesture." [Over 1000 NLD members of parliament and

officials have been detained for varying periods over the last months.

Many NLD chapters around Burma have been "voluntarily" dissolved,

according to junta statements-Ed.]

Rangoon, "Agence France Presse," 15 January

NLD Lawmaker Flees

An ethnic Mon elected member of parliament has fled to a border area

controlled by armed opponents of Burma's army junta to escape increased

repression, according to exile groups in Bangkok. Naing Thaung Shein of

the Mon National Democratic Front escaped after his party announced

support for demands by the National League for Democracy for the

convening of the parliament elected in 1990. Opposition sources say

Naing Thaung Shein's son has been arrested in retaliation. Mon National

Democratic Front chairman Naing Htun Thein is now detained without

trial, and three other members of the party were sentenced to seven years

imprisonment in December.

Bangkok, "Associated Press," 18 January

Burma-Thai Naval Clashes

Burmese and Thai naval vessels traded cannon and machine gun fire on

12 January as a sovereignty dispute over several islands off the

southwestern Thai city of Ranong flared into open conflict. Three

Burmese sailors were reportedly killed; in a similar clash in

mid-December, two Thais died.

Bangkok, "United Press International," 14 January

Junta Drugs PR Plan

Burma's army junta plans an international public relations campaign

to publicize what a top general describes as considerable success in

fighting drug production. The state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper

quoted junta Secretary One and military intelligence chief Lieutenant

General Khin Nyunt as saying the publicity campaign would last into

next year. United States Government figures estimate that Burma produces

half the world's opium, an amount the junta claims is exaggerated.

Rangoon, "Agence France Presse," 18 January

"Gentle" Junta

U.S. Congressman Tony Hall said that Burmese intelligence chief Khin

Nyunt has "promised to be gentle and lenient to the opposition."

However, Congressman Hall, who visited Burma in mid-January to assess

humanitarian conditions, said he saw no evidence that the regime was

prepared to make concession to the democratic opposition. Hall said that

National

League for Democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should have no "veto" over

international aid to Burma. Hall said that foreign assistance should not be

blocked

by political squabbles. Many governments, the United Nations and human

rights

groups have published detailed reports on massive human rights violations by

the

Burmese Junta, including torture, forced labor, and detention without trial.

Bangkok, "Agence France Presse," 17 January

"Accountable" Aid Demanded

Burma's government-in-exile warned that international aid channeled

through the military regime could be used to feed soldiers instead of

children, and urged that any increased humanitarian assistance be

offered in consultation with the National League for Democracy. The

National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma said any aid must

be is delivered in a way that is "transparent, independent and accountable."

Bangkok, "Agence France Presse," 20 January

UNOCAL Denial

The Los Angeles-based UNOCAL oil company has categorically denied

reports that it is directly financing units of Burma's army to protect a

gas pipeline in which it is a partner with Burma's military junta. A

Bangkok Post story on 06 January had detailed allegations that UNOCAL is

backing army units attacking ethnic people in the pipeline area, from

where many human rights abuses have been reported.

"Bangkok Post," 14 January

Tourism Drive Falters

Burma's drive to become a major tourist destination has failed, and

income from the tourism in the year ending 31 March 1998 actually

dropped, according to official figures. Industry sources say the ruling

junta's figure of 190,000 tourists is inflated, and includes many

business visitors making multiple trips. New hotels in Rangoon are in

serious trouble with only about 15% occupancy rates, as political unrest

and calls by the regime's opponents for tourists to boycott Burma have

discouraged visitors.

Rangoon, "Asian Wall Street Journal," 13 January