Japan Links Burma Aid, Ri

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/* Written  2:43 PM  Jul 26, 1994 by wov.central@xxxxxxx in igc:soc.cult.burma */
/* ---------- "Japan Links Burma Aid, Ri" ---------- */
Subject : Japan Links Burma Aid, Rights

   BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- In an unusually strong statement,
Japan's foreign minister told Burma on Monday that it must improve
its human rights record and free Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu
Kyi if it wants more economic aid.
   Foreign Minister Yohei Kono delivered a "clear message" that
Burma's military government must improve its treatment of political
opponents, a Japanese Foreign Ministry official said. The official
spoke on condition of anonymity.
   Kono urged Burma to release Mrs. Suu Kyi from five years of
house arrest, the ministry official said.
   "We are watching very closely what (Burma) will do in terms of
democracy and human rights matters," he quoted Kono as telling
Burmese Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw.
   The foreign ministers are in Bangkok for annual meetings of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
   Mrs. Suu Kyi led a pro-democracy uprising in 1988 that was
suppressed by the military. Her political party won a subsequent
election, but the military government has refused to allow it to
take office.
   "Japan expects that (Burma) will make efforts so that Japan
will be able to give economic assistance. But if the situation
continues unchanged, then Japan will be unable to increase its
aid," the official quoted Kono as saying.
   Japan suspended official development aid to Burma in 1988 with
the exception of ongoing projects and limited humanitarian
assistance.


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Date: 1994-07-27,04:43
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Subject: U.S. House Urges Release of Burmese Dissidents
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Subject : U.S. House Urges Release of Burmese Dissidents

   WASHINGTON (Reuter) - The U.S. House of Representatives
Monday urged Burma to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi
and other political prisoners and to restore democracy and human
rights.
   The resolution, passed by voice vote, expresses the sense of
the House that political power should be transfered from the
military to an elected civilian government and that human rights
should be respected.
   The resolution also calls on the U.S. government to continue
to maintain diplomatic pressure on Burma through economic
sanctions and an arms embargo.
   Aung San Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel Peace laureate, has been
under house arrest in Rangoon since July 20, 1989. Her National
League for Democracy won the 1990 election by a wide margin but
the military junta refused to turn over power.
   The U.N. General Assembly last December expressed grave
concern over the continued violation of human rights in Burma.
   Burmese Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw said in Thailand last week
that Burma will accept a U.N. invitation for a dialogue.


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