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Burma News Update NO.98 (r)



Open Society Institute
The Burma Project

Burma News Update No. 98
04 December 1999	


Junta Re-opens Border

Burma's army junta ordered the reopening of its 1240-mile
border with Thailand on 24 November, nearly two months after
it unilaterally closed the frontier. The Rangoon regime shut the
border after Thai authorities arranged safe passage on 01 
October to rebel-held Burmese territory for former Burmese
students who had occupied the Burmese Embassy in Bangkok
for over 24 hours. The junta has yet to reinstate Thai fishing 
rights in Burmese waters, and Thailand is continuing to deport
illegal Burmese migrant workers.["Kyodo" added from Bangkok
on 27 November that Thailand's army is preparing to repel any
new Burmese Army incursions onto Thai soil, including further
attacks on refugee camps, as part of an expected junta
dry season offensive against ethnic Karen rebels-Ed.]

Bangkok, "Associated Press", 24 November



Refugees Leave Thailand

A group of 33 Burmese political dissidents left Thailand in late
November for resettlement as refugees in the United States, 
and a second group of 22 exiles were expected to reach the
U.S. in early December. Thailand is seeking third country 
resettlement for about 3,000 Burmese student activists and
other political dissidents on its soil after Burmese dissidents
seized the Burmese Embassy in Rangoon on 01 October. 
At least eight other countries, mostly in Europe, have also
agreed to receive the refugees.

Bangkok, "Associated Press", 29 November



Sanctions Law to US Supreme Court

The United States Supreme Court agreed on 29 November
to consider whether a Massachusetts state law requiring state
agencies to penalize companies doing business in Burma is
constitutional. A lower federal court has ruled that such laws,
which are descended from the anti-apartheid campaign against
minority rule in South Africa and are on the books in over two
dozen cities and states across America, are "impermissible
intrusion into the foreign affairs power of the national government."
In its appeal, the State of Massachusetts, argues that "not one
constitutional grant, prohibition or command requires the states
to trade with dictators." [The Japan Times reported on 29 November
that Japan and the EU are expected to ask the World Trade Organization
to continue to suspend its investigation of their May 1997 complaint
 against the Massachusetts law pending the US Supreme Court ruling.]

Washington, "The New York Times", 30 November



Japan Asks Change Before Aid

Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi warned Burmese junta
chief Senior General Than Shwe that financial assistance could
not be offered until political reform was evident in the country.
The leaders met prior to the start of a summit between members
of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China, Japan
and South Korea in Manila.  Obuchi reportedly told General Than
Shwe that if Burma "pursues democracy in a way that Japanese
people can see progress, cooperation would become easier." 
The junta leader replied that the time was not yet right for
democracy in Burma.

Manila, "Kyodo", 28 November



UN Resolution Hits Junta

The UN General Assembly on 19 November adopted a consensus
resolution harshly condemning Burma's military regime and demanding
respect for basic human rights and democratic processes in the
country. The 19-point resolution deplored a litany of human rights
abuses, including "extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions,
enforced disappearances, rape, torture, inhuman treatment, mass
arrests, forced labour, including the use of children, forced relocation,
and denial of freedom of assembly, association, expression and
movement." It urged an end to impunity for human rights violators,
and specifically a halt to sexual violence against women in conflict areas. 

United Nations General Assembly, 19 November



Investment Minister Resigns

Shifts in Burma's ruling military regime continued as the minister
responsible for promoting external investment in the country,
Brigadier General Maung Maung, was "permitted to retire from his
duties," according to state media. Several other senior ministers
have been replaced in three other cabinet reshuffles in 1999, and
some analysts expect more moves before the end of the year.
General Maung's successor will face a formidable task, as the
army junta faces US and EU sanctions aimed at the regime's
human rights abuses, and the country suffers high inflation and
a currency worth less than 1.2 percent of its official value on the open market. 

Rangoon, "Agence France Presse", 01 December

BURMA NEWS UPDATE is a publication of
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