The World - News from July 8, 1988

Burmese authorities, shaken by a series of bloody riots, called an emergency congress of the ruling party for July 23 to agree on economic reforms and to reorganize the party, Rangoon radio announced. The Burma Socialist Program Party held its last regular congress in 1985 and was not scheduled to meet until next summer. The radio also said that 390 people detained in disturbances in March and June were being released. Western diplomats said at least 200 people died in rioting amid anger over declining living standards and harsh repression.