CHRONOLOGY 1998

The other accords included a trade agreement, an agreement on technical cooperation in forestry and forest industries and an agreement establishing a joint commission for bilateral cooperation, a Philippine government statement said.

NOVEMBER

Asean steps up pressure on EU

Asean threatened to restrict the number of European Union (EU) representatives in future meetings if it insisted on excluding Burma from the upcoming Asean EU Joint Cooperation Conference (JCC).

The EU reminded Asean that Rangoon was not party to the 1980 cooperation agreement signed between the two blocs and therefore should not participate in the JCC meeting as it would require the explicit agreement of all participating members.

According to a senior official, the EU compromised by allowing Burma to attend the meeting in an “informal and passive” manner, which would mean a different seating arrangement and that it not display its flag.

Riot police shuts down NLD meeting

Dozens of riot police were deployed to stop an NLD meeting in the Rangoon township of Tamwe, but the party decided not to go ahead with the gathering.

It would have been the third gathering at NLD offices around the capital, spearheaded by Suu Kyi, to organise an NLD youth wing, but the authorities would not give approval unless it took place at Suu Kyi’s home.

Suu Kyi landlord arrested

Slorc arrested Thaung Aye, owner of a building in the South Okkalapa township of Rangoon who agreed to rent an office to democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s political party.

Slorc also arrested the chairman of the Okkalapa branch of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, Chit Khin.

98 pardoned Thai fishermen return home from Rangoon

Ninety-eight Thais jailed in Burma returned to Bangkok after being pardoned by the ruling junta.

Their release followed talks between Thai Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Chettha Thanajaro and Slorc First Secretary Khin Nyunt, who agreed to release the prisoners to commemorate His Majesty the King’s birthday.

All prisoners were housed in Rangoon’s Insein Prison. Most had been charged with illegal logging or encroaching on territorial waters. Many of the released prisoners suffer from permanent disabilities due to inadequate care and complained about substandard jail conditions.

Suu Kyi holds national day celebration

Authorities allowed Aung San Suu Kyi to hold a mass meeting at her home to celebrate National Day, but restricted the numbers attending.

Although more than 800 people had been invited, local authorities gave permission for only 200 to attend, but about 350 were present, including 100 who had arrived the previous day and spent the night.

The crowd included party members, as well as the heads of diplomatic missions from Thailand, the US, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines.

Karen beaten, missing amid forced repatriation

Three Karen males were beaten, and hundreds of others are still unaccounted for among the more than 1,000 Karen sent back to Burma on Nov.