[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

Voice of America Report and Editori



Subject:  Voice of America Report and Editorial


------------------- burmavoa.c23 follows --------------------

DATE=        DECEMBER 26, 1994
TYPE=        EDITORIAL
NUMBER=      0-06194
TITLE=       BURMA'S UNCERTAIN FUTURE



CONTENT =THIS IS THE ONLY EDITORIAL BEING RELEASED FOR



BROADCAST DECEMBER 26, 1994.

 
THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE 
VARIETY 

OF ISSUES.  NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE 
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

VOICE:

    IN A REPORT TO THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SPECIAL 
REPRESENTATIVE YOZO YOKOTA CALLED THE WORLD'S ATTENTION TO THE 
BURMESE MILITARY REGIME'S VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS.  THE REPORT
DETAILS CHARGES OF SUMMARY EXECUTIONS, TORTURE, FORCED LABOR, 
ABUSE OF WOMEN, PERSECUTION OF MINORITY GROUPS, POLITICALLY 
MOTIVATED ARRESTS AND DETENTIONS, AND ABRIDGMENT OF BASIC RIGHTS 
OF FREE SPEECH, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, AND MOVEMENT.

    THE REPORT CITES "NUMEROUS COMMUNICATIONS FROM 
NON-GOVERNMENTAL SOURCES" ACCUSING THE BURMESE MILITARY OF THE 
WANTON MURDER OF CIVILIANS, INCLUDING MANY MINORITIES.  THE 
VICTIMS ARE REPORTED TO INCLUDE A THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD BOY ARRESTED 
IN MARCH 1994 IN PA'AN TOWNSHIP AND TWO SCHOOLBOYS FROM THE 
VILLAGE OF KYINT KYO SHOT BY BURMESE TROOPS IN MAY 1993.  THERE 
ARE MANY REPORTS OF BURMESE TROOPS FIRING ON UNARMED CIVILIANS 
WITHOUT PROVOCATION.  OTHERS HAVE BEEN SHOT FOR REFUSING TO 
RELOCATE FROM THEIR HOMES OR PERFORM FORCED LABOR.

    THOUGH SOME POLITICAL PRISONERS HAVE BEEN RELEASED, ARBITRARY
ARREST AND DETENTION CONTINUE IN BURMA.  WITHOUT TRIAL OR ANY 
PROCESS OF LAW, THE REGIME CONTINUES TO HOLD UNDER HOUSE ARREST 
AUNG SAN SUU KYI, LEADER OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY.

    MILITARY RULE AND THE SUPPRESSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN BURMA 
REMAIN A GRAVE CONCERN OF THE U.S. AND OTHER DEMOCRATIC NATIONS. 
U.S. DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE THOMAS HUBBARD MET WITH 
OFFICIALS OF THE BURMESE MILITARY REGIME IN NOVEMBER.  HE MADE 
CLEAR THE DESIRE OF THE U.S. TO ASSIST BURMA IN A TRANSITION TO 
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT.  HE STRESSED THAT COOPERATION DEPENDS ON 
WHETHER BURMA MAKES PROGRESS IN RESPECTING HUMAN RIGHTS, ALLOWING
DEMOCRATIZATION, AND COUNTERING NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING.

    THE U.S. URGES THE BURMESE REGIME TO FREE AUNG SAN SUU KYI 
AND ALL OTHER POLITICAL PRISONERS IMMEDIATELY AND 
UNCONDITIONALLY.  THE U.S. CALLS ON THE REGIME TO RESPECT THE 
RIGHTS OF THE BURMESE PEOPLE.  THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO ENCOURAGE 
THE POLITICAL RECONCILIATION WHICH THE MILITARY REGIME CLAIMS IT 
SEEKS.

ANNCR:

    THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED 
STATES GOVERNMENT.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE, 
PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D-C, 
20547, U-S-A.  YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043.  
YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR.

22-Dec-94 3:46 PM EST (2046 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
 .


------------------- burmavoa.c24 follows --------------------

DATE=12/23/94
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-171299
TITLE=BURMA / DEMO (S-O)
 
BYLINE=DAN ROBINSON
 
DATELINE=BANGKOK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  PRO-DEMOCRACY FORCES OUTSIDE BURMA ARE TRYING TO DRAW 
ATTENTION TO WHAT THEY CALL CHINA'S CONTINUING SUPPORT FOR 
POLITICAL REPRESSION BY BURMA'S MILITARY GOVERNMENT.  V-O-A'S DAN
ROBINSON REPORTS CHINESE PREMIER, LI PENG, IS SCHEDULED TO PAY A 
VISIT TO BURMA SOON (EDS:  DEC 26), AMID INCREASING ECONOMIC AND 
MILITARY LINKS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES.

TEXT:  LI PENG'S VISIT TO RANGOON NEXT MONDAY IS IN RESPONSE TO A
VISIT TO BEIJING LAST SEPTEMBER BY A POWERFUL MEMBER OF BURMA'S 
MILITARY JUNTA -- LIEUTENANT GENERAL KHIN NYUNT.

CHINA'S MILITARY AND ECONOMIC INVOLVEMENT IN BURMA HAS BEEN 
INCREASING FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

ANOTHER AGREEMENT FOR MILITARY EQUIPMENT AND WEAPONS WAS SIGNED 
RECENTLY.  CROSS-BORDER TRADE -- NOTABLY WITH YUNNAN PROVINCE -- 
HAS FLOODED BURMA WITH CHINESE CONSUMER GOODS.

CHINA HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST SUPPORTER OF THE RANGOON JUNTA SINCE 
BURMA'S MILITARY CRUSHED PRO-DEMOCRACY DEMONSTRATIONS IN RANGOON 
AND OTHER CITIES IN 1988.

IN BANGKOK FRIDAY, ABOUT A DOZEN BURMESE STUDENTS DEMONSTRATED 
OUTSIDE THE CHINESE EMBASSY, SHOUTING SLOGANS, AND RAISING 
BANNERS CONDEMNING CHINESE MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO BURMA.

A STATEMENT GIVEN TO REPORTERS URGED THE CHINESE PREMIER TO 
CANCEL HIS VISIT, AND SAID CHINESE POLICIES IN BURMA ARE 
PROLONGING MILITARY CONTROL AND ENDANGERING SECURITY IN SOUTHEAST
ASIA.   (SIGNED)

NEB/DR/TMS/RAE

23-Dec-94 6:48 AM EST (1148 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
 .