Generation Students (pro-democracy movement) [MIN KO]

International organization participation:
APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,
IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires MYINT LWIN
chancery: 2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-3344
FAX: [1] (202) 332-4351
consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Shari
VILLAROSA
embassy: 581 Merchant Street, Rangoon (GPO 521)
mailing address: Box B, APO AP 96546
telephone: [95] (1) 379-880, 379-881
FAX: [95] (1) 256-018

Flag description:
red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing,
14 white five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheel containing a stalk
of rice; the 14 stars represent the seven administrative divisions
and seven states

Economy Burma

Economy - overview:
Burma, a resource-rich country, suffers from pervasive government
controls, inefficient economic policies, and rural poverty. The
junta took steps in the early 1990s to liberalize the economy after
decades of failure under the "Burmese Way to Socialism," but those
efforts stalled, and some of the liberalization measures were
rescinded. Lacking monetary or fiscal stability, the economy suffers
from serious macroeconomic imbalances - including inflation,
multiple official exchange rates that overvalue the Burmese kyat,
and a distorted interest rate regime. Most overseas development
assistance ceased after the junta began to suppress the democracy
movement in 1988 and subsequently refused to honor the results of
the 1990 legislative elections. In response to the government of
Burma's attack in May 2003 on AUNG SAN SUU KYI and her convoy, the
US imposed new economic sanctions against Burma - including a ban on
imports of Burmese products and a ban on provision of financial
services by US persons. A poor investment climate further slowed the
inflow of foreign exchange. The most productive sectors will
continue to be in extractive industries, especially oil and gas,
mining, and timber. Other areas, such as manufacturing and services,
are struggli