Newsgroups: bit.listserv.seasia-l
Date:         Thu, 1 Oct 1992 19:26:47 PDT
From:         "(Coban Tun)" <tun@QUARK.SFSU.EDU>
Subject:      Institute for Asian Demorcacy report on Burma

                    Institute for Asian Democracy
                     1518 K street N.W suite 410
                       Washington, DC 20005
                Tel:(202)737-4101. Fax:(202) 347-6825


                                Contact:Michele Bohana  (202)737-4101
                                        Thomas R.Lansner(212)582-5487

              LAD RELEASE REPORT:STRONG U.S ACTION URGED
                       AGAINST MILITARY JUNTA

    Washington, Sept.30 - Citing drug trafficking,human right abuses and
"ecocide" the Institute for Asian Democracy (IAD)today released a 74-page
report,Towards Democracy in Burma, urging U.S. policy-makers to lead
vigorous international action leading to total derecognition of Burma's
military junta, the State Law and Order Restoration Council(SLORC).

    Endorsed by a bi-partisan group of prominent foreign policy leaders,
including former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Jeane Kirkpatrick,Senators
daniel P.Moynihan(D-NY)and Paul Simon(D-IL) and Representative Benjamin A.
Gilman (R-NY), the report links the heroin epidemic sweeping America's
cities with a recent explosion in Burma's heroin production,and offers "Ten
Tactical Guidelines" for U.S. policy towards Burma.

    " Over 70% of the heroin on streets of New York originates in Burma,"
said IAD Director Michele Bohana. "Towards Democracy in Burma asserts SLORC
participation in global heroin trafficking that wreaks havoc in America.
By neglecting Burma, current U.S. foreign policy undermines our commitment
to reclaim our cities. We urge the department of Justice to launch to
launch a major investigation of the SLORC's role in the heroin trade," she
continued.

    Towards Democracy in Burma recommends that the United States assign an
ambassador only to a democratic Burmese government and immediately dispatch a
"special envoy" to Rangoon to press demands for democratization.The report
highlights the SLORC"s arbitrary detention of candidates elected in 1990
and of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi-- as well as other
widespread human rights abuses, particularly against Burma's ethnic
minorities.

    "Towards Democracy in Burma is a Wake-up call for the American public
and our policy makers. Events in Burma are directly affecting the quality
of life in the United States and around the world," says Thomas R.Lansner,
one author of the report."The U.S.must take action now to protect our own
citizens and to promote regional stability and democracy."

    Other actions recommended in the report include stringent United
Nations-mandated arms and economic embargoes to curb weapons transfers to
the SLORC,especially from China and Yugoslavia; tough "eco-sanctions";
restriction of foreign aid to emergency humanitarian assistance;and early
approval of "Radio Free Asia."

                             ###


    The Institute for Asian Democracy is a non-organization established in
1991 to provide strategic and policy advice to individuals and
organizations dedicated to promoting democratic values in Asia and to
educate,and obtain the active support of, the American public for these
endeavors.The Institute is also active in promoting group rights such as
the rights to self-determination and minority rights, as well as in
seeking protection of an individual liberties.
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU