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Junta allows party men, press to se
Subject: Junta allows party men, press to see Suu Kyi (The Hindu, 5/1/97)
Junta allows party men, press to see Suu Kyi
The Hindu, 5/1/97 (New Delhi)
YANGON, Jan. 4.
Myanmarese Opposition leader, Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi today marked the
nation's 49th anniversary of independence with a vow to step up efforts
to bring democracy to Myanmar despite restrictions on her and her supporters.
"We are going to continue with the work we have set out for ourselves,
which is to achieve democracy for Myanmar," Ms. Suu Kyi, said at a ,news
conference during an Independence Day celebrations at her house.
"My father did not give up his life that Myanmar might be crushed under
the military's 600t. 'He gave up his life that Myanmar might be free,,,
she added.
The country's ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) made
a surprising move today when it allowed, Ms. Suu Kyi and her National
League for Democracy (NLD) Party to hold the celebration at her residence.
For the past month Ms. Suu Kyi has been under close scrutiny, and
virtually confined to her house as the SLORC restricted her, movements
and visitors in the wake of a series of student street demonstrations and
bombings in the capital.
Though Ms. Suu Kyi said she appreciated the SLORC gesture to allow about
1,500 NLD members, invited guests and media to pass through barricades
blocking access to her street to attend the celebration, she lashed out
at the Government for its restrictive measures and crackdowns on the
democracy movement." 1 am being kept under wrongful restraint. We have a
list of political prisoners taken over the past two months and this is
now well over 100, and 1 think the numbers are going up," she said. --
Reuter
V Jayanth reports from Singapore:
The anniversary of independence was an occasion for the SLORC to focus
the people's attention on history and attempt to generate some patriotism
among the Myanmarese. The attempt was also to highlight the so called
"achievement" during the military junta's seven-year rule that was said
to have brought peace, stability and economic development to the country.
Leaders of the SLORC and the military regional commanders participated in
a series of functions to mark the occasion, not only in the capital
Yangon, but all over Myanmar. The Universities remain closed.
A spokesman for the All Burma Students' Union, in Bangkok, said that the
organisation had stepped up its anti-SLORC campaign. "As Myanmar enters
the 50th year of its independence, we are determined to launch a fresh
struggle to secure real independence for the people.
"Unless there is freedom in the country and the people are allowed to
pursue their aspirations, there can be no meaning for freedom. It will be
a sad reflection on Myanmarese culture and society, if we have to observe
the 50th anniversary of our independence under military rule. We are
appealing to our friends in the Asean countries to assist us in the
process of restoring democracy in the country and ensuring there is
genuine independence and a Government of the people". the spokesman said.