Word: burma
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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When the ruling Burma Socialist Program Party met for a three-day congress in Rangoon late last week, it was expected to focus on long-overdue economic reforms and a housecleaning of the organization's sclerotic bureaucracy. But General Ne Win, the wily strongman who has ruled Burma since 1962, had a surprise in store. In a nationally televised address after the congress convened, Ne Win, 77, offered his resignation as chairman of his insular country's only political party. He also called for a referendum within 60 days on ending the country's single-party government...
...violent discontent with Ne Win's regime and with his "Burmese Way to Socialism," a system that has led to economic stagnation, food shortages and dizzying levels of foreign debt. If the resignation offer proves to be more than a ploy, it could mark an ideological sea change in Burma's government and might presage the gradual ! reopening of a country of 38 million people that has determinedly isolated itself for decades from the rest of the world...
...congress delegates at Rangoon's old walled racetrack, Ne Win cited age and poor health as his reasons for offering to resign. He also asked the congress to approve the resignations of five top party leaders, including Party Vice President San Yu, 69, who has served as Burma's President for the past seven years...
...indictments came at a time when the U.S. campaign against the Latin drug trade is being sorely tested. Four of the region's countries -- Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Bolivia -- are on the U.S. Government's list of seven "big producer" states targeted for maximum surveillance (the other three: Pakistan, Burma, Thailand). Latin America produces all the cocaine and nearly all the marijuana consumed in the U.S., dominating the illicit $130 billion-a- year market...
Becky J. Stapan and Kathy L. Dortzbach, juniorsrepresenting Burma from the James Madison Memorialschool in Madison, Wisconsin, thought the bestpart of the conference was "meeting people. That'sthe only reason some people come--just for fun."But they said they also enjoyed the opportunity todebate actual world issues...