CHRONOLOGY 1998

He was also accompanied by an academic and a senior official of the Burma-Myanmar Forum which financed the trip.

The meeting was attended by Tin Maung Win, vice president of the Democratic Alliance of Burma and Presidium member of the National Council of the Union of Burma, Teddy Buri and Aung Naing Oo of the foreign affairs department of NCUB and a senior official of a Mon organisation opposed to the government.

NLD man dies in prison

Kyaw Din, a 58 year-old former member of the NLD, died at a prison hospital of acute pulmonary disease while serving a two-year jail sentence, the government said.

“U Kyaw Din of NLD Wakema Township, who is serving a two year prison sentence since July 24, 1997, for violation of Burma Criminal Act section 505 (B) ... passed away on October 20 at Wakema Township hospital,” the statement said. It said he was also suffering from renal failure and “malignant hypertension.”

Suu Kyi plays host

Slorc permitted Aung San Suu Kyi and more than 300 members of her NLD to hold a religious ceremony at her home.

Party faithful dressed in their customary peach-coloured jackets paid respects to 60 senior politicians, including some of Burma’s independence fighters, during the traditional ceremony of obeisance to elders that marks the end of the three-month Buddhist lent.

Asean attempts to resolve political deadlock

The European Union (EU) called off a meeting with Asean members ofin Bangkok because of disagreement over Burma’s participation. A spokesman for the EU Commission said the bloc “regretted” the decision but insisted that Asean’s demands that Burma should be given full observer status in the talks, due to be held on November 17-19, were “not acceptable.”

Suu Kyi's first political trip since release

Aung San Suu Kyi traveled on her first political trip outside the capital being released from house arrest in 1995. A division-level official of the NLD party said she went to Thakata on the outskirts of Rangoon to organise the NLD youth wing and speak to supporters.

“We can say there is still hope for understanding to grow between the NLD and the Slorc. Maybe this is a sign of relaxation of the Slorc’s control over the NLD,” one analyst said.

Burma, Philippines sign pact on drug-trafficking

Burma and the Philippines signed an agreement to fight international drug trafficking on the first day of President Fidel Ramos’s three-day visit to Rangoon.