ICRC To Close Its Yangon Office

[ncgub@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Here's an announcement from the ICRC which we obtained today:

//Begin Text//

Communication to the press No 95/25
Geneva, 16 June 1995

MYANMAR: ICRC TO CLOSE ITS YANGON OFFICE

Geneva (ICRC) - Following several years of discussions with the
authorities of the Union of Myanmar, the International Committee
of the Red Cross (ICRC) made an offer of services to the Yangon
government on 27 May 1994 requesting access to security detainees
in the country. The SLORC (State Law and Order Restoration Council)
sent its reply to the ICRC on 21 March 1995.  This reply was not
satisfactory, as it took no account of the customary procedures for
visits to places of detention followed by the ICRC in all the
countries where it conducts such activities.

Since that time the ICRC has tried to persuade the SLORC to consider
its position, but in vain.  The institution therefore submitted a
memorandum to the authorities on 16 June 1995 acknowledging the
failure of the negotiations and announcing that it would close its
office in Yangon during the course of July 1995.

The ICRC also informed the SLORC that it was prepared to resume the
dialogue on a constructive basis as soon as the Myanmar authorities
invited it to do so.

//end text//

SP/