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India refused Burma bid to buy military hardware (from the Asian Age -
28/9/98)

India ready to sell civilian aircrafts

By Rezaul H. Laskar

The Union  government has turned down several requests from Burma's
military junta for the supply of military hardware.

Government sources told The Asian age the requests were made by Brigadier
Kyaw Win, deputy director of Burma's defence services intelligence, during
his two visits to India since November last year. "The Union 
Cabinet decided against supplying the equipment to the Burmese armed
forces," the sources said.

The supply of weapons and military equipment to Rangoon requires Cabinet
approval as Burma is on a list of countries with which military hardware
deals are restricted. "The Burmese asked for tanks, helicopters and other
equipment," the sources said.

The Burmese authorities were told New Delhi would be willing to supply
civilian versions of helicopters, like those used by Pawan Hans, and not
helicopters used by the armed forces. A Burmese request for spare parts
for military hardware of Russian orgin also has not been acceded to by New
Delhi, sources said. The Cabinet's decision was apparently influenced by
the situation prevailing in the neighbouring country. Defense minister
George Fernandes, a critis of the Burmese military junta, has often spoken
out against links between the armed forces of Burma and China.

Mr.. Fernandes has said the Chinese helped Burma to establish electronic
surveillance posts on the Coco Islands to maintain a close watch on Indian
missile tests and movements of the Indian navy.

The Union home ministry is also keeping a close watch on developments in
Burma following the stead-fast approach adopted by dissident leader Aung
San Suu Kyi. A secretary-level meeting, scheduled to be held in May, has
been postponed several times by the Burmese side. Several key issues like
trans-border crimes, insurgent activities and border trade were to be
taken up by the meeting.

Three Navy ships leave for S. Korea

By Asian Age Correspondent

Three Nevy warships and a tanker, including the INS Delhi, have left for
south Korea to participate in the international fleet review.

The ships, under the command of the Flag Officer Commanding of the Eastern
Fleet, Rear Admiral S.V. Gopalachari, will visit Singapore, Ho Chi Minh
Cinty in Vietnam and Philippines in keeping with the government's "look
East" policy.

The Fleet review, hosted by South Korea to coincide with the 50th
anniversary of the foundation of the country's government, will coincide
with the 6th Western Pacific naval symposium to be held in Seoul.

For the first time, India has been granted ovserver status for the
symposium and theDeputy Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Madan Jit
Singh, will represent the Navy at this meet.

Prior to the symopsium, the Indian ships will exercise with the warships
of the Singapore Navy between September 26 and October 2.

The Flag officer Commanding-In-Chief of the Eastern Command, Vice Admiral
V. Pasricha, will visit Singapore during the same period to raise the
level of interaction between the two Navies.

India's engagement with Singapore on the naval front has been limited to
periodic visits of ships and annual exercises. This is the first time such
a senior officer is coinciding his visit with the exercises.

Admiral Pasricha will have wide-ranging discussions with military and
civil authorities in Singapore. Navy sources said participation in the
fleet review would allow the Indian Navy to showcase its technical
peowess, capability in ship-building and technical advances made by the
country's ship-building industry.

The exercises with the Navies of other countries would lead to better
understanding to operatine procedures and build the base for future
interaction, they said.

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