🚀 go-pugleaf

> From: George Sadowsky <George.Sadowsky@nyu.edu>
> Subject: Re: Burma Bans modems

RANGOON, BURMA, 1996 SEP
27 (NB) -- Burma has made owning, using,
importing or borrowing a modem or fax machine without government
permission a crime, punishable by up to 15 years in jail, according
to a report by United Press International.

Burma's military government has imposed what's called "The Computer
Science Development Law" which empowers the Ministry of
Communications, Posts and Telegraphs to specify what exactly can be
restricted, UPI reports.

UPI quotes the government-run newspaper New Light of Myanmar as
saying the same punishment is prescribed for anyone who sets up a
link with a computer network without the prior permission of the
ministry, or who uses computer network and information technology
"for undermining state security, law and order, national unity,
national economy and national culture, or who obtains or transmits
state secrets."


UPI reports that in July a diplomat, Leo Nichols, died in prison
after he was sentenced to a lengthy term for illegal possession of
fax machines.

It's clear from this action that the SLORC, i.e. the "State Law and
Order Restoration Committee" (sic!) understands full well the
benefits and importance of the Internet and other forms of
electronic communication to open societies, and is determined to
deny these benefits to its citizens.  Given its recent history and
the quasi-imprisonment of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, this new action is
perfectly consistent with the government's previous abysmal
record.

Countries who would deny open Internet access to its citizens might
well pause to consider if they wish to be associated with the
current government of Myanmar in doing so.

Vera Britto
(fiatlux@umich.edu - http://www.umich.edu/~fiatlux)
............................................................................
Le Bret: Si tu laissais un peu ton ame mousquetaire, la fortune et la
gloire...  Cyrano:  Et que faudrait-il faire? Chercher un protecteur
puissant, prendre un patron, et, comme un lierre obscur que circonvient
un tronc et s'en fait un tuteur en lui lechant l'ecorce, grimper par
ruse au lieu de s'elever par force? Non, merci! Non, merci! Non, merci!
Mais... chanter, rever, rire, passer, etre seul, etre libre... oui.
                                "Cyrano de Bergerac" - Edmond Rostand