Page 4-Tuesday, Jule 8, 1978-The Michigan Daily A f 4michigan DAILY Eighty-eight Years of Editorial Freedom 420 Maynard St., Ann Arbor, Ml. 48109 Vol. LXXXV1II, No. 45-S News Phone: 764-0552 Tuesday, July 18, 1978 The black market: A way of lje in Burma Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan Women need clear state abortion policy GOVERNOR MILLIKEN faces a bill this week that would limit a woman's right to a state-paid abortion unless the abortion is per- formed for "therapeutic" reasons. The thoughtless elimination of most Medicaid abortions is part of the state's $2.5 billion welfare budget that the legislature approved before ad- journment two weeks ago. While pro-choice forces are urging a veto of the bill, abortion foes would like the as yet undecided governor to sign it. One controversy surrounding the abortion part of the welfare bill is the definition of "therapeutic." Many legislators have said they find the word therapeutic only applicable in cases in which the mother's health would be en- dangered if she carries the fetus to birth. Since the bill lacks a definition of "therapeutic," it is open to such extreme interpretation. By stating that Medicaid should pay only for those abortions needed for "therapeutic" reasons, the bill discriminates against poor women who cannot afford abortions without financial help. If the governor signs the bill as it now stands, the vague wording will only enforce that discrimination and invade the rights of poor women. If Milliken vetoes this portion of the bill, it would go back to the legislature. There it could be subject to stringent definitions of therapeutic - definitions that could hurt the cause of abor- tion supporters. But if the legislature wants a narrow definition of "therapeutic," it's best that Milliken and the people in Michigan know that that's what it wan- ts. For Milliken to sign the bill without knowing the intention of the lawmakers would be a blind intrusion into the rights of poor women. The legislature should be forced to hash over the abortion section of the bill, and should come up with a definition of "therapeutic." Then let Milliken decide whether or not he wants that definition to become law. By Al Hrapsky Years of isolation and a fledging economy have produced a dearth of information and con- sumer goods in socialist Burma.; Inevitably, the Burmese rely on tourists, the odd bootlegger, and more organized operators for everything from news of world politics to medicines. caught smuggling or selling large quantities do they arrest people". From Thailand come textiles. medicines and toilet articles which are exchanged for rubies, other precious gems and art treasures. At the Bangladesh border, relief medicines and clothes flow in as Burmese rice slips out. India sends sewing INAw i -J .. usually proves frustrating. People often queue up for hours only to discover that everything has been sold. Although censorship exists and criticism of the government is not tolerated, the Burmese seem to have some small measure of freedom. The radio stations broadcast anything from classical Burmese music to the Beatles top tunes, tear-jerking Indian movies are shown, and it is legal to possess certain uncon- troversial publications. The people, however, are starved for news of the outside world. Many want to know how much money tourists earn at home, where they've travelled, and what products are available in their native countries. The slow trickle of tourists is also a consistent source for the temporary novels of the literate. MOST INTERNATIONAL political observers and economists blame the ineffective government of ruling General Ne Win for Burma's current economic plight. Until 1962 when Ne Win assumed power, in- stalling a revolutionary council of military bureaucrats as gover- ning polity, Burma boasted the world's largest exportable rice surplus. Today, however, only a fraction of its previous tonnage is produced (approximately 250,000 tons as compared to two million). Ne Win's socialism is a unique blend of Buddhism and Marxism and as one political foe put it, "A scrambled egg, but nevertheless, a Marxist egg". The General's "Burmese Road to Socialism," however, has been one of economic ruin and the general populace suffers a decline in living standards. Al Hrapsky is a former associate sports editor of the Daily who recently completed an Asian tour. .ih .j From the moment tourists leave Rangoon's Mingaladon air- port they are confronted with the ever-present black market. Most travellers sell alcohol and tobac- co to cab drivers and small shopkeepers at two to three times their original cost. Johnny Walker Black, Red Label Scotch, British Dunhill and "555" cigarettes fetch the highest prices. Shrewd businessmen, the Burmese are seldom tempted to pay top dollar for comparable brands like Chivas Regal or Marlboro (the largest selling cigarette in the world). BURMA'S BLACK market economy is centered in Man- dalay, 430 miles north of Rangoon, where consumer products pour in from neigh- boring Thailand, India, and Bangladesh. According to the New York Times, all smuggled goods account for about two- thirds of the national foreign trade. Mandalay's central location along the banks of the Irrawaddy River and its enter- prising merchants make it an ideal city for the flourishing trade. Although tourists and local merchants exchange American dollars and kyatt, the national currency, in hotel rooms and shops, the city's Zeygo market is perfectly open. Scores of stalls bisect the center of town where merchants peddle western clothing, toys, toilet articles, medicines, candy, and other goods from 6a.m. to 9 p.m. every night. As one affable vendor at the bazaar said: "This is tlhe machines, World War II jeeps, and contraceptives (free in that nation). ALTHOUGH MORE distant, Malaysia exports goods to Burma receiving tin and rubber in return. "Seven-Up," canned in Singapore, can be had in the market for $.0 to $2. On the street I purchased a 1968 edition of Life Magazine with the Beatles on the cover for $1. I was tempted to buy a can of "Burma Shave" but when the merchant realized I had a keen interest in it he raised the already inflated price. For most Burmese the black market is unavoidable. A local doctor explained that while physicians can prescribe drugs, they cannot provide them. Their patients then, must turn to the black market where they might buy aged and useless penicillan. Some of the drugs on the street - their labels yellowed and worn - looked like they survived the second world war! But buting from a government regulated store is a poor alternative and r u ' 'a ~ C 11 4 Letters should be typed and limited to 400 words. The Daily reserves the right to edit letters for length and grammar. Contact your reps Sen. Donald Riegle (Dem.), 1205 Dirksen Bldg., Washington, Ic. 20510 Sen. Robert Griffin (Rep.), 353 Russell Bldg., Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. 20515 Rep. Carl Pursell (Rep.), 1709 Longworth House Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515 Sen. Gilbert Bursley (Rep.), Senate. State Capitol Bldg., Lan- sig,'MI 48933 Rep. Perry Bullard (Dem.), House of Representatives, State Capitol Bldg., Lansing, M1 48933