Chronology
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But a SURA source claims that Khun Sa hid weapons, jewellery and gold in Ho Mong before surrendering. "Khun Sa does not totally trust the Burmese so he hid valuables and weapons before his surrender, and reliable sources say most of his money is still in banks in Thailand."
Hollywood's appeal for comic's release
Human Rights Watch Asia said that a group of American comedians had signed letters sent to top military government officials urging the release of Burmese comic Par Par Lay.
The letters, signed by actors including Carl Reiner, Ted Danson, Paul Reiser, Mike Farrell and Mary Steenburgen, argued Par Par Lay had been jailed for exercising his internationally guaranteed right to freedom of expression. In letters sent to Burmese Prime Minister Gen Than Shwe and top junta official Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, the Hollywood comedians urged Par Par Lay’s immediate release.
Slorc continues offensive against Karen
Burmese government forces targeting KNU guerillas continued to attack Karen settlements and rice supplies as they tried to flush out guerillas in eastern Burma. Refugee camps in Thailand were also attacked, displacing thousands of Karen and other ethnic minority groups along the border.
KNU joint First General Secretary Mahn Sha said the offensives are "not just operations against the KNU, but against Karen people and all people inside Burma."
US Sanctions
US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright announced a ban on new investment by American businesses in Burma.
The decision was approved by President Bill Clinton based on the view that "repression by the military authorities of the democratic opposition in Burma has deepened since enactment of the Cohen-Feinstein provisions this past Sept. 30; and that a state of large-scale repression exists," Mrs. Albright said.
The Cohen-Feinstein law, sponsored by Californian Senator Dianne Feinstein (D), and the now Secretary of Defence William Cohen of Maine, authorised the administration to outlaw new investments if the junta arrests, harms, or exiles Aung San Suu Kyi or her followers on a large-scale.
The ban is not retroactive so it will not affect existing investment projects in Burma, including Unocal’s US$1.2 billion pipeline which is Burma’s largest investment project. However, under the new sanctions Unocal will not be allowed to commit to new investment opportunities in Burma.
But as the Burmese have become increasingly dependent on its Asian trading partners, US sanctions will be unlikely to have a major impact on the Burmese economy nor will it delay the military regime’s entry into the Asean. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad explained, "We’re going to work very hard to get Myanmar [Burma] into Asean".
May 1997
Ohn Gyaw thanks Asean
The Slorc has expressed its "sincere appreciation" for the "support and understanding" of Asean in planning to admit Burma to the regional group, the official press said.
Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw made the comments at a meeting of Burmese and Asean officials in Rangoon, a week after the US imposed an investment ban on Burma and appealed to the regional grouping to bar Rangoon’s admittance.
"We are indebted to the Asean secretariat support, as well as to our Asean friends for their support," Ohn Gyaw said.
Ethnic rebels still fighting the military junta appealed to members of the Asean not to admit the regime while it still violates human rights.
"We don’t want Burma admitted now because of continuing human rights violations, especially in ethnic areas, and because the political situation is not resolved," said Ner Dah, assistant secretary of foreign affairs for the KNU.
Opposition accused of terrorism
Burma’s army chief of staff said traitors within the country are turning into "terrorists" with foreign backing, official media reported.
Tin Oo made the comments a week after Washington imposed economic sanctions on Burma, banning all new US investment in the country in protest against reports of continued human rights violations and repression of the democracy movement.
Traders Hotel struck from airline deal
Northwest Airlines has ended a controversial promotion which offered bonus kilometres to frequent flyers who stayed at the Traders Hotel in Rangoon.
The Traders is part-owned by Lo Hsing Han, once known as "King of the Golden Triangle", and now identified by the US State Department as a "narco-trafficker".
Mr.
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