Burma faces new worldwide criticism

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The Asian Age: Burma faces new worldwide criticism over Suu Kyi attack
 
Rangoon, Nov. 11:       : Burma's military authorities faced renewed 
international condemnation on Monday following weekend attacks on the 
motorcade of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
        Japan called on the Burmese government to explain the 
"regrettable" violence in which Ms. Suu Kyi's motorcade was pelted with 
rocks on three occasions Saturday by a mob she accused of being 
government agents. "We called on the Burmese government to exercise 
self-restraint," said Mr. Seiroku Kajiyama, chief Cabinet secretary and 
spokesman.
        The Japanese appeal followed a sharp statement from the United 
States expressing outrage for the attacks in which the windscreens of two 
vehicles were smashed and a senior opposition official was slightly 
injured. The strongly worded statement from the US embassy here called on 
the Burmese authorities to "punish those responsible for this attack(and) 
to take every possible means to ensure the safety of Aung San Suu Kyi." 
Ms. Suu Kyi Said the four cars had been attacked by members of the United 
Solidarity Development Association- a state sponsored mass movement- as 
she left her compound to meet supporters.
        Mr. Tin Oo, a vice-chairman in Ms. Suu Kyi's National League for 
Democracy, suffered a cut to the face when a car window shattered. 
Witnesses said USDA members carrying sticks, stones and catapults blocked 
access to Ms. Suu Kyi's house, arriving and departing on buses and pickup 
trucks in orderly fashion. On Sunday, Ms. Suu Kyi met US Senator John 
McCain, though details were not made public.
        Mr. McCain, who also met Burma's powerful intelligence chief, 
Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, and Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw, played a 
role recently in negotiations leading to amendments softening tough 
economic sanctions against Burma in legislation passed by the US Congress.
        Fueling the growing international storm, Ms. Suu Kyi has issued a 
videotaped appeal to the European Union calling for economic sanctions 
against Burma. The tape is to be screened on Monday before the European 
Parliament. (AFP)