Chronology
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US Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics Affairs, Robert Gelbard, said in February that drug money was "so pervasive in the Burmese economy," that it tainted legitimate investment. "Since 1988, some 15 percent of foreign investment in Burma and over half of that from Singapore has been tied to the family of narco-trafficker, Lo Hsing Han," Mr. Gelbard said.
Bid welcome for Do Muoi in Rangoon
Vietnamese Communist Party Chief Do Muoi arrived on a three-day official visit seen as a gesture of support for Burma’s Asean entry bid.
Upon arrival at Rangoon airport, Do Muoi’s 65-member delegation was given a red carpet welcome.
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt later called on Do Muoi, the party secretary-general and the second high-ranking Vietnamese official to visit since 1988. The party chief also met Slorc Chairman Senior Gen Than Shwe.
Clinton signs ban on new US investment in Burma
US President Bill Clinton issued an executive order putting into effect a ban on new American investment in Burma in response to "a deepening pattern of severe repression" by the junta.
Clinton said the junta’s policies and its "large-scale repression of the democratic opposition in Burma" after Sept. 30 last year "continue an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States".
Crackdown on the opposition
Just one day after Clinton’s order, the junta renewed its large-scale crackdown on the NLD ahead of a planned party congress on May 27, the seventh anniversary of the abortive general elections.
About 50 NLD MPs, members and organisers were arrested as they headed to Rangoon to participate in the celebration commemorating the NLD’s victory in the 1990 elections.
Rangoon returns narcotics suspect who jumped bail
The junta delivered major heroin trafficking suspect Li Yun-Chung to Thai authorities, after having earlier denied that he had fled to Burma upon jumping bail in Thailand last February.
Li, who is wanted by the United States on charges of smuggling 486 kilogrammes of heroin — the largest heroin seizure in US history — into Oakland, California, was handed over to Thai authorities during Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh’s official visit to Burma.
It was not immediately clear why Slorc decided to return Li to Thailand despite its earlier denial that he had fled to Burma. When asked by journalists to explain Slorc’s decision, Chavalit only said: "He had Thai nationality. He must be sent to us."
Albright hints at tougher laws against junta
The US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright told lawmakers that she will consult with Congress on ways to step up pressure on Burma’s military leaders to listen to its democratic opponents.
Albright told a Senate panel she is concerned by the junta’s widening crackdown on followers of Aung San Suu Kyi.
"It’s clear to me that they have no intention of responding to her efforts at a dialogue," Albright told the panel. "I think what we need to do is access with you and with other sources about how to proceed on this."
The ruling Slorc "genuinely seem to care," she said. "So I think we need to look at how these functions are going to be carried out."
But Albright indicated that she did not hold out much hope of progress in pushing Asean countries to not allow Burma to join.
"They do not seem to be interested in this, because they have a different approach. But this subject will be very much on our minds as we talk to them, and I will relook at whether we should take some further action or in terms of encouraging them further," she said.
Unocal boss holds talks with Suu Kyi
The president of Unocal Corp. held informal talks with Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon on issues including the US energy firm’s involvement in the Yadana gas project.
With the approval of the government, John Imle met Aung San Suu Kyi at her home for several hours on May 16.
Details of the talks, the first of their kind between the two parties, were not disclosed. But a senior Unocal executive confirmed the meeting took place. She said the talks touched on wide ranging issues and involved a free exchange of views.
"We had useful dialogue. We both gained a better understanding of each other’s point of view," the executive said, noting the two sides agreed not to discuss details of the meeting in public.
But Mr. Imle would have tried to explain to the Nobel peace laureate Unocal’s role in the gas project. Suu Kyi has urged the US firm to pull out because she sees its role as tantamount to supporting the ruling Slorc.
Mr.
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