We Must Keep Up the Pressure on Burma

Undoubtedly, you have boldly revealed to your readers the truth about the sorrowful state of affairs in that little-known country called Burma, now renamed by its dreadful rulers as Myanmar (“Localities Targeting Firms With Links to Myanmar,” Oct. 5.)

One of the goals of Burmese expatriates is to increase international awareness of Burma’s problems--especially the plight of the Burmese people under a most notorious and ruthless military regime.

Recent events in Burma--such as arresting 800 pro-democracy activists, cordoning off the area surrounding the democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s residence and manning roadblocks by gun-toting soldiers and other acts that virtually put her under horse arrest again, resulted in President Clinton imposing visa restrictions on Burma’s military brass.

Aung San Suu Kyi herself wants the foreign democratic governments to keep up their pressures because it really hurt the military regime. We should continue the political pressures on this pariah regime until the military releases all political prisoners, allow Aung San Suu Kyi and democratic leaders to freely participate in politics without hindrance and intimidation, and undertake genuine democratic reforms.

U HLA SHWE

General Secretary

Federation for Human Rights

and Democracy in Burma

Long Beach