In addition, the EU and Canada withdrew GSP trade benefits in 1997. The U.S. has also urged the Government of Japan to maintain the suspension of much of its bilateral aid, including large-scale development assistance. Any improvement in bilateral relations depends on the Burmese Government's introducing significant political reform and taking positive action to improve its human rights and narcotics control records. Since 1989, the U.S. has been unable to certify that Burma has cooperated fully in efforts against narcotics. Democracy Since it seized power in 1988, the junta has shown no willingness to cede its hold on power.
Political activity remains severely restricted.
Since late 1996 the SPDC has blockaded University Avenue, the street where Aung San Suu Kyi resides, in order to prevent supporters from gathering in front of her house. However, many NLD supporters have been arrested and sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their involvement in party activities. UN Secretary General Annan' s Special Envoy for Burma, Alvaro DeSoto, met with senior SPDC officials in January 1998 to express international community concerns contained in a series of UN General Assembly Resolutions on Burma, including movement toward political dialogue with the democratic opposition. SPDC officials gave him no reason to expect dialogue any time soon. In June 1998 NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi demanded the SPDC convene by August 21 the parliament chosen in the 1990 elections annulled by the military.