1/10/98:AAP NEWS

[uneoo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

BURMA ASIA: BURMA TELLS UN TO STAY OUT OF "DOMESTIC" AFFAIRS 
DATE: 07:31 01-Oct-98 
 ASIA: BURMA TELLS UN TO STAY OUT OF "DOMESTIC" AFFAIRS BURMA 
(CARRIED EARLIER)

 UNITED NATIONS, Sept 30 AFP - Burma's junta today told the UN not 
to push for democratic reforms in the country,  while the opposition 
warned of an imminent popular "explosion" against the regime.

 "There are those who would like to use the United Nations to 
interfere in matters which are essentially within the domestic
 jurisdiction of Myanmar (Burma)," the junta's Foreign Minister 
U Ohn Gyaw told the General Assembly.

 "Political pressure has been put on us by those who would like 
us to adopt not only democracy, but would like also to
 transplant a democracy in their own mould," U Ohn Gyaw said.

 Each year for the past seven years the UN General Assembly 
has passed a resolution condemning the military regime in
 Burma for human rights abuses.

 The Burmese government in exile called on the General Assembly 
to pass a tougher resolution this year allowing for
 international sanctions unless Rangoon complies with UN resolutions.

 "If the regime still doesn't see the explosive situation, 
there will be an explosion," said Sein Win, the prime minister of the
 government which was elected in 1990 but prevented from taking office.

 "In the near future, if this regime refuses to have a dialogue, 
the situation is leading to a nationwide uprising," said Thaung
 Htun, the exiled government's UN representative.

 At a press conference at the United Nations held even as 
the junta's foreign minister spoke, Win insisted the resolution "must
 contain action-oriented measures to address the problem".

 Thaung Htun said the resolution should call for a "voluntary 
arms embargo" against the regime, which could be followed by
 possible Security Council action.

 The US, Canada and the European Union, have already put in 
place economic sanctions and boycotts to pressure the Rangoon
 government on human rights. So have a slew of US cities, 
counties and states.

 The junta has stepped up its propaganda campaign against 
domestic opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi after her National
 League for Democracy (NLD) called for the convening of the 
parliament elected in 1990, which the junta has never allowed
 to meet.

 AFP cjh 

BURMA-JUNTA ASIA: BURMESE JUNTA 
IN A MUDDLE DEALING WITH VOCAL OPPONENTS 
DATE: 15:25 01-Oct-98 
 ASIA: BURMESE JUNTA IN A MUDDLE DEALING WITH VOCAL OPPONENTS BURMA JUNTA

 By Kieron Flynn

 BANGKOK, Oct 1 AFP - Burma's junta is increasingly confused 
about how to deal with its vocal pro-democracy  opponents, 
analysts say, noting mixed signals from the various arms of 
the all-powerful military.

 While press releases sent to foreign correspondents and the 
English-language New Light of Burma often take a conciliatory
 tone, the Burmese-language media and officials within the 
country are adopting a hard line against opponents who seek their
 removal from office, they say.

 "There has been a marked change of tone in what they are 
saying in English," said one foreign diplomat in Yangon.

 "It's as if someone else is writing the press releases for 
them, perhaps a native English-speaker."

 The junta initially ignored the May call by the leading 
opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) for parliament to
 be convened, but has since branded the move illegal and 
said democracy would be gradually introduced in Burma, others
 noted.

 "They've taken this international stance of saying 'we are 
a developing nation and must take things slowly, but we also want
 democracy'," another diplomat in the Burmese capital said.

 "But domestically, they have told the NLD they won't tolerate 
any convening of parliament and that the party iteslf could be
 outlawed if they persist."

 The NLD, led by Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, claims 
more than 1,000 of its members and supporters have been
 detained since the May demand. The NLD-led opposition won 1990 
polls by a landslide but the junta has refused to
 relinquish power.

 "It's as if there are two stories here," said the first diplomat.

 "For international consumption, it is a government doing its 
best in difficult circumstances. For domestic consumption, it is
 the usual threat and use of force. Either you do what you're 
told or you go to jail."

 The junta has been at pains to stress internationally that no 
NLD members are being ill-treated.

 Photographs posted on the junta Internet site show the 
detainees eating, resting and talking at government "guesthouses" and
 the English-language progaganda regularly talks of former 
dissidents making peace with authorities.

 "They have been hurt by all the international criticism and 
realise it is getting them nowhere," said the second diplomat.

 "Now they want legitmacy and they know they only way is to 
show they are moving towards democracy."

 NLD chiefs, excluding Aung San Suu Kyi and others who are not 
officially recognised as political figures, recently met with
 junta representatives and authorities have repeatedly called 
for a united effort to develop Burma, one of the world's poorest
 countries.

 "At the same time they are locking people up at a faster 
rate than ever," the second diplomat said.

 "The two approaches just don't gel. If they are serious 
about reconciliation then I have yet to see any proof."

 The junta yesterday told the United Nations not to push for 
democratic reforms in the country, while the opposition warned
 of an imminent popular "explosion" against the regime.

 "There are those who would like to use the United Nations 
to interfere in matters which are essentially within the domestic
 jurisdiction of Burma," junta Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw told 
the UN General Assembly.

 "Political pressure has been put on us by those who would 
like us to adopt not only democracy, but would like also to
 transplant a democracy in their own mold," he said.

 Each year for the past seven years the UN General Assembly 
has passed a resolution condemning the military regime in
 Burma for human rights abuses.

 The Burmese government in exile called on the General 
Assembly to pass a tougher resolution this year allowing for
 international sanctions against Rangoon unless it complies 
with UN resolutions.

 "If the regime still doesn't see the explosive situation, 
there will be an explosion," said Sein Win, the prime minister of the
 government which was elected in 1990 but prevented from taking office.

 AFP ts