Myanmar: Stable and peaceful

I refer to the article New Myanmar Alliance: SLORC Refusal in your Dec. 16, 1994 issue. Miss Yindee Lertcharoenchok of The Nation, Bangkok, writes often on Myanmar.

There is a small, articulate group in Thailand who writes as experts on Myanmar. Their basic thrust is to smear Myanmar and try, by disinformation, to keep the country divided and unstable.

Happily, due to our increasing presentation of Western- documented data, and increasingly important Thai-Myanmar economic links, their reports have become less strident.

The alliance (of Wa, Lahu... etc.) she mentions has existed concurrently with the government since 1989. Their recent activity is not directed against the government but are defensive measures to counter the infiltration of Drug Warlord Khun Sa's men into their area.

Despite articles and reports against Myanmar, the reality in my country is very much peace, stability and impressive economic growth of 11 percent, 5.8 percent and 6 percent for the past three years.

As for the Karens' recent fighting, it is simply that. They are using heavy weapons against each other and our forward troops have not launched any offensive operations against them. But the posts they have abandoned have been occupied.

SOE LYNN HAN

Press Officer

Myanmar Embassy

Jakarta