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SLORC arrests 500 activists



30Sep96 BURMA: FUTURE OF BURMA OPPOSITION MOVEMENT IN QUESTION. 08:44 GMT  
By Deborah Charles
RANGOON, Sept 30 (Reuter) - The future of Burma's democracy movement, hit by
a new wave of arrests and repressive tactics by the military regime, is more
uncertain than ever as activists await the government's next move, diplomats
said on Monday.
The National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Nobel Peace laureate Aung
San Suu Kyi, and the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC)
are playing a tense waiting  game, the diplomats said.  "They've been
winding each other up now for years," one diplomat said. "It's an end game
now."  They said the SLORC, which seized power in 1988, must now decide if
it will take further action against the NLD, perhaps by banning the party's
vital weekend speeches or possibly by outlawing the party.  "We're waiting
to see how it will play out. Will they just let everything go back to status
quo or will another shoe drop?" a diplomat said. "Will they say they are
banning the party or closing off her house? I won't be surprised at anything
now."  Most diplomats said they had not expected such a strong reaction by
the SLORC to the NLD's plans to hold a three-day party congress September
27-30.  To prevent the meeting from taking place, the government said it
detained 109 NLD members for questioning. It said the meeting was illegal
and threatened the nation's stability.  NLD sources said about 500 party
members or supporters had been arrested since Thursday. It  said the party
had called the meeting to celebrate its eighth anniversary.  "It should not
be necessary for a political party to seek permission from the authorities
to carry out its legitimate activities," the NLD said in a statement
received on Monday.  The SLORC also set up police-manned checkpoints on all
roads leading to Suu Kyi's University Avenue home, where the meeting was due
to take place, and prohibited any one from travelling on the road since
early on Friday morning.  Officers arrested up to 100 democracy supporters
on Saturday who refused to move away from the blockades as ordered, NLD
sources said. The official would not say how many had been put into trucks
but said they all had been released.  Although police had said the blockades
were due only to be up through Sunday, they remained in place on Monday with
armed police still preventing anyone from passing through.  The government
also suggested in official media that it might ban the NLD's weekend
speeches. The speeches, given by Suu Kyi and two other top NLD officials on
Saturdays and Sundays, are the only real way for the party to get its word
out.  The speeches, which are often taped by listeners and then transcribed
and distributed throughout the country, are often the only way NLD
supporters can hear from their leaders.  "If they ban the speeches, it will
be a big blow to the NLD," one local analyst noted.  NLD officials said they
did not expect the SLORC to allow the speeches to continue, and many
diplomats agreed.  But how far the repression might be taken was anyone's
guess, the diplomats said.  "I don't think either side wants bloodshed," one
said. "But it's a very volatile situation."  "Unless reason prevails (Suu
Kyi) may try her hardest to really push them to arrest her. That would give
her a martyr status," he said.  Most analysts and diplomats say the SLORC
was likely to be very hesitant to re-arrest Suu Kyi, who was released from
six years of house arrest in July, 1995.  Many nations have warned against
escalating the repression. The United States is discussing a sanctions bill
that could be enacted if the situation worsens or if Suu Kyi is re-arrested.  
(c) Reuters Limited 1996
REUTER NEWS SERVICE
30Sep96 BURMA: BURMA STILL HOLDING ACTIVISTS, ROADBLOCKS REMAIN. 07:06 GMT  
By Deborah Charles

RANGOON, Sept 30 (Reuter) - Burma on Monday denied opposition claims it had
arrested 500 activists, but said it would not release those it had detained
or lift road blockades until it was sure the democracy movement would not
cause a disturbance.
A senior official told Reuters there had been no change in the number of
people detained by the military government last week in an effort to prevent
a three-day meeting of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party
from taking place. The meeting was to have started on Friday.
"There are 109 people still being held in guest houses. How long they are
kept there depends on the other side, it is very hard to tell," the official
said in an interview when asked about NLD sources saying 500 activists had
been arrested.
NLD sources told reporters the party estimated about 500 NLD members or
supporters had been arrested by the government since Thursday night,
although they said some may have been released.
The government said the meeting was illegal and would create instabilityj.
The NLD said the gathering was being held to celebrate the eighth
anniversary of the party's founding.
Although the government official said police arrested only those who had
planned to attend the meeting, the NLD said party representatives from every
NLD office in Rangoon were also picked up in the middle of the night on
Friday and Saturday.
The government official said checkpoints set up early on Friday and manned
by heavily armed security police and military intelligence officials would
stay in place until the government was sure the NLD would not take any action.
The checkpoints block all access to University Avenue, the road on which Suu
Kyi's house is located. The NLD meeting was to have taken place at her home.
"If nothing is going to take place, then the police may leave. But if they
think that something might go on, they may not leave very quickly," the
official said.
He said heavy traffic that will likely result from the blockades on
University Avenue, a main thoroughfare, could also be an influence on when
the checkpoints were removed.
Police originally had said they would be up through Sunday.
The official confirmed reports that several dozen democracy supporters had
been briefly detained near the checkpoints over the weekend, but he said
they were released several blocks from where they were picked up.
NLD sources said the figure was closer to 100.
Hundreds of people were seen near the checkpoints on Saturday. Most had
apparently not heard the road was blocked and came to attend the weekly
speech by Suu Kyi at her house.
Several dozen young people who refused police orders to move away from the
checkpoints were put on military trucks and driven off by the authorities,
witnesses said.
"They were taken to a place not too far away and dropped off...and they went
home," the official said.

(c) Reuters Limited 1996
REUTER NEWS SERVICE

30Sep96 JAPAN: JAPAN CONCERNED BY BURMA'S CRACKDOWN ON OPPOSITION. 04:38 GMT  
TOKYO, Sept 30 (Reuter) - Japan said on Monday it was concerned by Burma's
weekend crackdown on Aung San Suu Kyi and other democracy leaders and called
on Rangoon's military junta to permit free party politics.
"Japan is concerned about this development," government spokesman Seiroku
Kajiyama told a news conference. "Japan cannot overlook moves that run
counter to the democratisation of Burma.
"The freedom of political parties to conduct their activities must be
recognised," Kajiyama said.
He called on the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) to
seek dialogue with Nobel laureate Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD).
Accusing the democracy movement of breaking laws and instigating unrest,
SLORC on Friday set up blockades and detained activists to prevent an NLD
meeting at Suu Kyi's house.
The junta said on Monday that 109 pro-democracy activists were still being
detained and checkpoints manned by armed police at the road leading to Suu
Kyi's house remained in place for a fourth day.
Japan, the biggest aid donor to Burma, suspended some big projects after
bloody crackdowns on pro-democracy forces in 1988 but has held off from
using its aid of about $140 million a year as a lever to ensure the country
moves towards democracy.
The NLD won a landslide victory in 1990 general elections but the military
has refused to allow it to govern.  
(c) Reuters Limited 1996
REUTER NEWS SERVICE




30Sep96 BURMA: BURMA SAYS ACTIVISTS STILL DETAINED, ROADBLOCKS UP. 03:05 GMT  
RANGOON, Sept 30 (Reuter) - Burma's military goverment said on Monday 109
pro-democracy activists were still being detained and checkpoints manned by
armed police at the road leading to Aung San Suu Kyi's house remained in
place for the fourth day.
"There are 109 people still being held in guest houses," a senior government
official told Reuters when asked about reports of up to 500 detentions. "How
long they are kept there depends on the other side, it is very hard to tell."
He said roadblocks manned by heavily-armed security police would not be
removed until authorities were sure the National League for Democracy (NLD)
party would not take any action.
The checkpoints were set up on all roads leading to Suu Kyi's University
Avenue residence early on Friday to prevent a three-day NLD congress from
being held there.
The government said the meeting was illegal and would create instability,
but the NLD said the purpose of the gathering was to celebrate the eighth
anniversary of the party's founding.
"If nothing is going to take place, then the police may leave. But if they
think that something might go on they may not leave very quickly," the
official said.
He said heavy traffic likely to result from the roadblocks on University
Avenue, one of Rangoon's main thoroughfares, could also influence when the
checkpoints would be removed.
Police had originally said the roadblocks would be up only through Sunday.
The official said several dozen democracy supporters had been briefly
detained near the checkpoints over the weekend, but were released several
blocks from where they were picked up.
Hundreds of people were seen near the checkpoints on Saturday. Most had
apparently not heard the road was blocked and came to attend the weekly
speech Suu Kyi makes at her house.
Several dozen young men who refused police orders to move away from the
checkpoints were put on military trucks and driven away by the authorities,
witnesses said.
"They were taken to a place not too far away and dropped off... and they
went home," the official said.
The NLD was co-founded by Suu Kyi in August 1988 after months of
unprecedented demonstrations against military rule. The party won a
landslide victory in a 1990 election but the results were never recognised
by the military government.  
(c) Reuters Limited 1996
REUTER NEWS SERVICE




30Sep96 BURMA: BURMESE RADIO REPORTS REASONS TO BAN OPPOSITION CONGRESS. 
Source: Radio Myanmar, Rangoon, in Burmese 1330 gmt 28 Sep 96
The Burmese government has banned a congress to have been held by the
opposition National League for Democracy from 27th to 29th September,
Burmese radio reported. It said that since opposition leader Suu Kyi had
been released from house arrest, the opposition had not been abiding by the
proper procedures on holding meetings. In addition, opposition leaders Aung
San Suu Kyi, Tin U and Kyi Maung were not abiding by "the existing laws,
rules and regulations that everybody has to follow". They had made contacts
with Western embassies and had urged foreign entrepreneurs not to invest in
Burma. Lately, Suu Kyi had urged people attending her "roadside talk shows"
to oppose the government. The NLD congress had been banned in order to
prevent a "chaotic" situation. The following is the text of the report by
Burmese radio outlining the government's reasons for banning the congress:
The State Law and Order Restoration Council [SLORC] on 27th September 1996
banned the congress of the National League for Democracy [NLD] that was to
be held from 27th to 29th September 1996. Permission has to be sought from
the township administrative authorities and police forces for organizing a
public assembly and for using loudspeakers in the township. The respective
township administrative authorities had already publicized in August 1989
the procedures on how political parties are to hold meetings. Action can be
taken according to the law against those responsible for not following these
directives.
It can be seen that the NLD abided by the above-mentioned rules and
regulations when Daw Suu Kyi was detained in her house. It can be seen that
since the lifting of the restriction order on Daw Suu Kyi, the NLD has not
been abiding by the procedures on holding meetings and it has been doing
whatever it likes, using democracy as an excuse. The NLD has sought no
permission, in accordance with the rules and regulations, from the
responsible administrative bodies for holding meetings in the compound of
Daw Suu's house as a public assembly. Moreover, the roadside talk shows were
also held without permission.
Among the leadership of the NLD, the ideology and philosophies of Chairman U
Aung Shwe and some leaders are gentle and they desire to work within the
legal framework and existing laws, rules and regulations, although they had
a desire to work so as to be on good terms with the state government. The
trio - Daw Suu Kyi, U Tin U and U Kyi Maung - have a desire always to oppose
the SLORC and do not abide by the existing laws, rules and regulations that
everybody has to follow. It can be seen that the trio has made more contacts
with some Western embassies; they have ignored the orders and directives of
the state government; and they maintain the view that they can do whatever
they want, relying on exiled groups and immoral news agencies.
It can be seen that they made more contacts with some Western embassies
following the SLORC Information Committee's news briefings on 1st August.
After the news briefing on 1st August, Daw Suu Kyi visited the residence of
French ambassador. Daw Suu Kyi held talks for three hours with the French,
British, German and Italian ambassadors there. If one looks at her movements
since 1st August, it can be seen that Daw Suu Kyi paid two visits to the US
embassy and the US charge d'affaires; four visits to the British embassy and
the residence of British ambassador; two visits to the Australian embassy
and the residence of Australian ambassador; two visits to the French embassy
and the residence of French ambassador; and one visit to the residence of
the UNDP [UN Development Programme] resident representative.
Personnel from British embassy paid three visits to Daw Suu Kyi's house;
while the Australian ambassador paid one visit; US charge d' affaires
Marilyn Meyers paid two visits; and US diplomat Mr Mark B. Taylor paid 10
visits. During their visits to Daw Suu Kyi house, they exchanged letters
with Daw Suu Kyi. It can bee seen that Daw Suu Kyi also met groups of
foreign journalist 52 times, distributed news, and held one news conference
during August and September.
On 2nd and 4th June 1996, the Minister of Home Affairs and responsible
security officials asked the responsible personnel of the NLD not to hold
the Saturday and Sunday roadside shows on University Avenue Road, usually
organized by Daw Suu Kyi, U Tin U and U Kyi Maung. They did not abide by the
reminder that was given in accordance to the law by the responsible
personnel and continued to hold the talk shows with about 2000-3000 people
in the road. Pedestrians were very disturbed by these talk shows.
If one looks at the comments they made during the roadside talk shows, and
the news that was distributed to foreign new agencies and international
organizations, it can be seen that there were rumours and the NLD fabricated
reports, criticized the government and the Defence Services, made comments
to split the senior and junior Defence Services personnel, instigated panic
among the people, made comments urging foreign entrepreneurs not to invest
in Myanmar [Burma] and told tourists not to visit Myanmar. These statements
are designed to destroy the peace and law and order, and to cause economic
upheaval.
There were no constructive comments on any of the state government's
undertakings but there were comments that were designed to convey a
misleading impression of the state government. They made comments that were
designed to fault the successful implementation of the state government's
projects and undertakings.
Concerning international relations, it has been learned that they instigated
and made comments designed to destroy other countries' relations with the
Myanmar government and to destroy the economic investment plans in Myanmar
by foreign countries; and they told foreign countries not to provide
assistance to Myanmar.
The comments made by Daw Suu Kyi, U Tin U and U Kyi Maung were designed to
affect the state and the people, to put the state government in crisis and
to cause the unsuccessful implementation of the state government's projects.
In other words, they are intentionally making the state government confront
them.
Lately, Daw Suu Kyi has increased her instigations by telling the people
attending the roadside talk shows to be courageous, not to be afraid of the
government, and to oppose the government. Concerning the state government,
she said human beings are willing to talk but animals don't talk, and
compared the government with a dog entering a cattle grazing ground. It can
been seen that Daw Suu Kyi used very rude language. The other two used
similar language and made provocative comments in order to cause
misunderstanding between the senior and junior Defence Services personnel
and to cause the disintegration of the Defence Services.
The congress planned by the NLD is not just an ordinary founding anniversary
meeting. By look at the word congress, it can be seen that it is a political
movement designed to cause disturbance and confusion all over the country.
Also in May 1996, the NLD planned to hold a meeting to draw up a parallel
constitution against the National Convention which is being held by the
state, but the NLD was not very successful. That is obviously why the NLD
Congress was planned to coincide with the UN General Assembly, so as to
allow the international community to put political pressure on the government.
By looking at the contacts between Daw Suu Kyi and some Western embassies,
it is clear that the congress was planned after coordinating several times
with certain Western embassies. It is clear that the congress was planned
after several consultations with the responsible personnel of the US embassy.
If one looks at the situation concerning the congress held by the NLD, it
can be seen that it is a properly planned scheme by the Western countries to
impose sanctions and to put pressure on Myanmar; and to make the Myanmar
government face difficulties at the UN and in its international relations.
At the same time, a political movement - the All-Burma Congress of the NLD -
was created inside the country to put the government in a tight position.
Although the NLD said it was holding a founding anniversary meeting, records
show that the NLD was founded on 30th September [1988].
The congress was planned to coincide with the situation taking place outside
the country. Moreover, 28th and 29th September fall on Saturday and Sunday.
It can been seen that the NLD planned to organize a public assembly so as to
cause disturbance on the road by using the strength of the people who will
be attending the weekend talk shows.
There is a saying that dangerous fire begins in the bed straw. If the
disturbance spreads, it will lead to a situation similar to that of 1988. It
will destroy the stability of the state and will lead to a chaotic
situation. In order to avoid such a chaotic situation, the state government
has taken preventive measures to ban the NLD's congress.
(c) BBC Monitoring Summary of World Broadcasts. 
BBC MONITORING SERVICE 
BBC MONITORING SERVICE: ASIA-PACIFIC 30/9/96 



30Sep96 BURMA: GOVERNMENT PREVENTS HOLDING OF OPPOSITION CONGRESS,
IMPLICATES US DIPLOMATS. 
Source: Radio Myanmar, Rangoon, in Burmese 1330 gmt 27 Sep 96
The congress that the National League for Democracy planned to hold, and
which was stopped by the Burmese authorities, was supported by the USA,
according to Burmese radio. It says that the charge d' affaires of the US
embassy in Rangoon warned the authorities not to prevent the congress from
taking place. The following is the text of the report:
In order for law and order, peace and stability to prevail in the state, the
respective security organizations have prevented the plan of the National
League for Democracy [NLD] to hold the All-Burma Congress of the NLD
[preceding six words in English] as a public assembly.
The NLD covertly planned to hold the All-Burma Congress of the NLD with
about 600 people today [27th September]. [The NLD] sent invitations to
reporters and the embassies only on 26th September. Although political
parties and associations that want to hold a meeting with this kind of a
crowd have to seek permission from the pertinent regional authorities, the
NLD did not seek permission at all. It has been learned that papers on
politics, economics, legal affairs and youths affairs were to be read and
declarations were to be made and demands were to be announced at the NLD
congress.
The congress was planned to take place from 27th to 29th September to
coincide with the UN General Assembly and a meeting of the US Congress,
which is planning to pass a law on Myanmar [Burma]. It has been learned that
the authorities today [27th September] prevented the [NLD] congress from
going into action so as to avoid unnecessary instability and disturbance in
the state.
The NLD worked very hard and planned to hold this congress after meeting on
several occasions the authoritative personnel of the US embassy, including
the charge d'affaires; and this is clear from the activities of the US
embassy personnel. On 24th September, Marilyn Meyers, charge d'affaires of
the US embassy in Yangon [Rangoon], visited the Foreign Ministry and called
on the director-general of the Political Department. During the talks, the
charge d'affaires explained about a draft bill that will be approved by the
US Congress after Congress deliberates and which makes a resolution on
Myanmar affairs.
Concerning this matter, the charge d'affaires said that [the NLD] planned to
hold a significant political movement in the compound of Aung San Suu Kyi's
house at No 54 University Avenue Road on 28th and 29th September. The
government should not suppress the movement and take action against [the
NLD]. The USA does not want to see unnecessary things happening in Myanmar.
The USA wants to see negotiations between the government and Aung San Suu Kyi.
The charge d'affaires sounded as if she were ordering and threatening
[Burma]. It has been learned that Marilyn Meyers held talks with Aung San
Suu Kyi at the latter's house on 6th and 29th August; and Aung San Suu Kyi
held talks with the charge d'affaires at the charge's house on 12th August.
It has also been learned that Mr Mark B. Taylor, a diplomat at the US
embassy, also held talks for a long time with Aung San Suu Kyi at the
latter's house on 3rd, 17th, 18th, 19th, 22nd and 23rd August, and on 15th,
21st, 22nd and 26th September. It has been learned that Marilyn Meyers, Aung
San Suu Kyi, U Tin U, UNICEF employee Daw Su Su Lwin and seven NLD delegates
also attended a dinner at U Kyi Maung's house on the night of 24th September.
By looking at these activities, it can be seen that the NLD congress of the
NLD, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, was implemented by holding several meetings
with authoritative US embassy personnel, including the US charge d'affaires.
Along with the internal complication, the congress is designed to create a
disturbance and cause instability in the state. The NLD, without seeking
permission to hold a meeting from the competent administrative authorities,
and relying on foreign countries, ignored law and order and community peace
and tranquillity, and acted in a way that shows it will do as it pleases.
That is why the authorities are preventing the NLD's significant political
movement, the said congress.
The competent security organizations have temporarily taken in a number of
party members, who were going to take part in this political movement, for
questioning. It has been learned that they have not been arrested and no
action has been taken against them.
(c) BBC Monitoring Summary of World Broadcasts. 
BBC MONITORING SERVICE 
BBC MONITORING SERVICE: ASIA-PACIFIC 30/9/96 



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