Forwarded with Compliments of Government of the USA in Exile (GUSAE):Ý Free Americans Proclaiming Total Emancipation and Working Towards Democracy. NOTE:Ý Thanks to Irrawaddy.org for this.ÝÝ --Ý kl, pp

Crackdown Escalates

By Naw Seng

June 05, 2003-Military leaders have ratcheted up the crackdown on Burma's opposition as several leading National League for Democracy (NLD) members from Rangoon, Mandalay, Mogok and Myitkyina have been taken into custody, sources close to the opposition party said today.

ÝThe missing NLD vice chairman Tin Oo has sent a handwritten letter via military intelligence officers, a source close to the family said. The letter was a request for medication that he regularly took to maintain his health.

Many other democracy supporters are fleeing in fear, said an NLD member from the China-Burma border. But border security in neighboring countries like China has already been tightened to prevent pro-democracy from seeking sanctuary, the NLD member explained.

Most of the NLD officials in the Kachin capital, Myitkyina, have reportedly been arrested. "The [junta's] Northern Command has ordered the arrest of all NLD members," he said. "Everyone faces charges."

Further south in Mandalay and Sagaing divisions, there is increasing concern among family members of the NLD supporters who accompanied Suu Kyi on her last trip. Most haven't had contact with relatives since last Friday.

However, the missing NLD vice chairman Tin Oo has sent a handwritten letter via military intelligence officers, a source close to the family said. The letter was a request for medication that he regularly took to maintain his health. Though the letter has eased anxieties a little, no one has been able to confirm his whereabouts and some still fear he was seriously injured in Friday's clash.

The Red Cross, which works to ensure the safety of dissidents in Burmese prisons, has asked to see Suu Kyi and other members of her party being held in protective custody, but so far military leaders have been uncooperative. [Top]

US and UN Get Tough on Burma

By Anthony Faraday

June 05, 2003-Increased international sanctions called for by the United States Congress and stern warnings from the United Nations are two new problems Burma's military regime has to face in the wake of its arrest of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi last Friday.

In New York yesterday, UN member countries with an interest in Burma held a high-level emergency meeting and backed the mission of UN special envoy to Burma, Razali Ismail. Despite Suu Kyi's arrest, Razali is determined to go to Burma tomorrow. He will travel to Rangoon with messages from world leaders who have hold grave concern for the well-being of Suu Kyi and other opposition members arrested during the clash in Sagaing Division.

ÝToday, this Congress needs to be aware of what is going on in Burma, and we must warn the dictators in Burma they will not get away with the dirty deed if they have touched one hair on the head of Aung San Suu Kyi. -Dana Rohrabacher

The US is expected to take its concerns to members of the Security Council, the UN's highest body. In Washington, several lawmakers have spoken out against Burma's military regime, saying the generals have made the people of Burma "suffer for too long." New legislation introduced this week by the US Congress will step-up American pressure on the military regime in Burma. Specifically, the legislation will ban all Burmese imports and put a freeze on much of the regime's overseas assets.

The bill will also extend America's visa ban to prevent members of the junta-sponsored Union Solidarity Development Association (USDA) from visiting the US. The USDA is the military's de-facto political party and its members have been blamed for much of the violence directed at Suu Kyi and her supporters.

Tom Lantos, a Californian Democrat and co-chairman of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus introduced the legislation to send "a clear signal that Burma's human rights violators will be punished severely."

The bill has already won the support of Senator Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky and long-time advocate of regime change in Burma. He has insisted the US lead international support for Suu Kyi's endangered democracy movement.

Moves to denounce the actions of Burma's generals were echoed by several others in Congress, including Dana Rohrabacher, a Californian Republican from the House. "Today, this Congress needs to be aware of what is going on in Burma, and we must warn the dictators in Burma they will not get away with the dirty deed if they have touched one hair on the head of Aung San Suu Kyi," Rohrabacher said.

If and when the new bill from Congress is passed, the Washington-based Free Burma Coalition says the import ban will seriously affect manufacturing industries in Burma. The US is one of the largest export markets for Burma's regime, estimated to be worth more than US $300 million.

Aung Din of the Free Burma Coalition welcomed the reaction from Washington. "We are witnessing horrible organized crimes conducted by Burma's military regime," Aung Din said. "The people of Burma can't wait for more talk-we need action." [Top]