News in Brief

The NLD leader further commented that such a sanction could be especially effective now due to the current Asian financial crisis.

Mahathir visits Burma

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and a 46-member delegation, greeted by a 19-gun salute and hundreds of flag-waving children, arrived in Rangoon for a two-day official visit aimed at “strengthening solidarity in the Asean .”

During the visit, the two sides signed bilateral agreements to exempt diplomats from visa requirements and to avoid double taxation. Dr. Mahathir later met with Gen. Than Shwe to discuss regional issues, including the use of local currencies for intra-Asean trade.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Badawi was said to have met with Aung San Suu Kyi and other NLD leaders.

SPDC takes measures to firm kyat

In an effort to stabilize spiraling inflation, the SPDC has imposed strict measures including  revocation of  the        licenses of  30 Foreign Exchange Certificate dealers o­n grounds of illicit currency speculation, as well as suspension of border trade and curbing of imports.

Moreover, the regime has also withdrawn its permission for private and semi-government banks to undertake foreign currency transactions.

NLD holds democracy seminar

The SPDC allowed the NLD to hold a o­ne-week democracy and human rights seminar, attended by 77 NLD members, at Aung San Suu Kyi’s lakeside home.

Besides close surveillance of the seminar and its attendees, the event that began o­n March 18 reportedly went uninterrupted by the military authorities.

Suu Kyi urges equality for women

Aung San Suu Kyi marked International Women’s Day in Burma by calling for women’s equality.

In a statement, Suu Kyi commented that women today remain less privileged than men in most countries and many girls in the world are being deprived of a proper education and even adequate medical care because of  their deemed lack of value in society. “Such discrimination,” Suu Kyi stated, “not o­nly constitutes injustice to women, it is hurtful to the whole human race.”

SPDC destroys seized drugs

Before an audience of diplomats, journalists and international businessmen, the SPDC burned about six tons of confiscated drugs (estimated street value of $1.2 billion) as proof of the regime’s commitment to combating drug trafficking.

The destruction of the seized narcotics came o­ne day after the US government “decertified” Burma for the seventh straight year for “shirking its responsibilities,” meaning that the US will automatically vote against loans for Burma by development institutions.

According to a US State Department report, drug seizures account for less than o­ne percent of Burma's total opium output, and the country remains the world’s largest source of heroin.

Talk of “peace” o­n Armed Forces Day

The SPDC commemorated Burma’s 53rd annual Armed Forces Day by extending an olive branch to armed insurgents amid a display of military might.

In a speech tacitly directed towards the Karen National Union, Than Shwe spoke of “keeping the door open for the remnants,” and referred to opposition parties as simply having “differing opinions,” with the SPDC holding “no grudges” against them.

The NLD also held a modest “Resistance Day” ceremony attended by about 500 people at Aung San Suu Kyi’s lakeside compound and repeated its call for dialogue with the military.

Restrictions o­n Singapore entry

As part of an effort to crack down o­n foreigners overstaying tourist visas, Singapore has announced that Burmese and Bangladeshi citizens visiting the country will be required to post bonds at immigration.

U.N to look into Burma's human rights

At the recent annual opening of the UN Commission o­n Human Rights, the Secretary General, Kofi Annan called for worldwide ratification of human rights treaties and efforts to combat violations.

The UN forum is expected to look into cases of violations in five continents, including Burma, Cambodia and Indonesia in Asia.

USA Engage attacks sanction laws

USA Engage, an ad hoc coalition of some 660 American businesses, has announced its plan to challenge the constitutionality of state and local sanctions against Nigeria and Burma.

The group contends that local sanctions interfere with the “formulation of a single, coherent national policy” and questioned the effectiveness of unilateral sanctions.