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U.N. official targets Myanmar

THE HINDU, October 30,1998

UNITED NATIONS: Coming dow heavily upon the Myanmar Government for Human
abuses, a top United Nations right official has recommended an independent
inquiry into the death in prison of two persons in Myanmar and charged the
army with commiting atrocities on ethnic minitoties. The human situation in
Myanmar has not improved and government has so far ignored the resolutions
of both  General Assembly and the Commission of Human Rights, the special
Reporteur of the Commission for Human Rights, Mr. Rajsoomer Lallah, said in
an interim report o the Genrral Assembly, he call for inquiry into the
death of James Leander Nichols in 1996 and U thein Tin this year. Mr.Lallah
said he remained "ddeply concerned" about the continue harassment of
political leadrs and the deteintation of many political prisoners.- PTI

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Burma Junta Frees 15 more NLD Detainees
The Asian Age- 30 October, 1998

Rangoon, Oct.29. Burmese's junta said on Thursday it has released 15 more
members of main pro-democracy Opposition party as a UN special envoy met
party leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The 15- detained for what the junta has called "an exchange of views'- are
members of the National League for Democracy which won a landslide victory
in 1990 polls which the military refused to recognize.

"More members of the National League for Democracy returned home after a
successful meeting with government on issues concerning efforts to work
together toward safeguading national unity, stability and peace in Burma,"
the junta said in a statement.

'The meeting are being held in a codial atmosphere in government
guesthouses with active participation from NLD members," it said.

Their release on Thursday brought the total number of detainees released in
recent weeks to 110, and coincide with the visit of UN Secretary General
Kofi Annan's special envoy to Burma, Alvaro de Soto.

Mr De Soto met Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi at her home on
Thursday, official sources said.

Before the latest releases the NLD said 987 of its members had been
detained in recent months, including 200 members of parliament elected in
1990.

One western diplomat said the detainees were freed on condition they
renounce their NLD ties and pledged support for military rule, and their
release was not timed to Mr De Soto's visit. (AFP)


Burma Info
New Delhi.