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EDITORIAL: THE SLORC'S CHOICE IN MY



Subject: EDITORIAL: THE SLORC'S CHOICE IN MYANMAR

  (ll)
  
  c.1994 N.Y. Times News Service
  
     The New York Times said in an editorial on Monday, Nov. 14:
  
     Myanmar's ruling junta, the State Law and Order Restoration
  Council, or SLORC, is one of the world's most brutal, least
  legitimate regimes.
     It seized power in what used to be known as Burma by massacring
  democracy demonstrators in the streets of Rangoon six years ago.
  Since then it has ignored elections, cooperated with drug lords and
  waged a relentless war against democratic political leaders,
  university students, Buddhist religious activists and the ethnic
  minorities who make up more than a third of Myanmar's population.
     This grim dictatorship is now being courted by countries eager
  for new economic opportunities in the world's hottest boom region.
  These include many of Myanmar's Southeast Asian neighbors and much
  of the European Union.
     To the east, Thailand makes refugees fleeing the SLORC's
  repression feel unwelcome. To the north, China provides military
  aid, consumer goods and diplomatic support. The United States
  stands almost alone in principled opposition to the SLORC, denying
  it anti-narcotics aid and development assistance, blocking loans
  from international banks and criticizing it in international
  forums.
     But these steps have had only a limited effect. So this month
  the Clinton administration dispatched a diplomatic emissary to
  offer the SLORC a choice. It can soften its tyranny and enjoy
  better relations with the United States or it can continue its
  thuggish ways and have Washington step up the pressure. The SLORC
  is still weighing its response.
     Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Hubbard asked the
  SLORC's strongman, Gen. Khin Nyunt, to respect internationally
  recognized human rights, admit U.N. and Red Cross observers, end
  forced labor, fight drug trafficking, devise credible, democratic
  procedures for a return to constitutional rule and free,
  unconditionally, the democratic opposition leader and Nobel
  laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as well as other political prisoners.
     Progress on these points could lead to warmer relations, eased
  sanctions and renewed cooperation against drugs. No progress would
  lead Washington to broaden U.S. sanctions and push for an
  international arms embargo. Some of Hubbard's points resemble the
  human rights conditions the United States earlier tried to apply to
  China, then dropped. This time the administration appears more
  united and serious. That leaves the next step up to the SLORC.
  
  
  
  <TDAT> NYT-11-13-94 1818EST