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Burma's Democrats Gather in Rangoon



 .c The Associated Press  

RANGOON, Burma (AP) - Despite fears of a government crackdown, more than 100
members of Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's political party had
reached the capital Wednesday for a weekend congress. 

Dozens of members of the National League for Democracy, some wearing their
trademark peach jackets and black and green sarongs, milled about in tea
shops near the party's headquarters on Shwegondaing Road in Rangoon. 

Many, however, eschewed the party uniform so as not to attract too much
attention from the authorities. There were no signs of tension between the
party members and local police. 

Previous attempts by Suu Kyi to hold party congresses have been met by mass
arrests of its members by the military government. 

The government said it stopped those meetings because Suu Kyi and her party
intended to set up a parallel government. In 1990, Suu Kyi's party won 82
percent of the seats in parliament in an election the military refused to
honor. 

Party officials said more than 800 people were detained at this same time
last year, and 262 were arrested in May 1996. 

The party congress, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, is to mark the ninth
anniversary of its founding in 1988. It plans to assess the party's work over
the years, and discuss ways to implement its policies. 

An aide to Suu Kyi, speaking on condition of anonymity, said party members
had come from throughout Burma. He added, however, that local officials had
forced some party members in central Burma to sign papers promising not to go
to Rangoon, and these members had stayed home. 

The government, meanwhile, has been seeking public favor after the democracy
party refused to let its chairman, Aung Shwe, meet with a top general, Khin
Nyunt, last week. 

The NLD objected because Khin Nyunt refused to include Suu Kyi in the
meeting. The party said the general was trying to split its leadership. 

It is not known whether the government will allow the weekend meeting, or
move to block any venue where it could take place. 

Suu Kyi's home already is blockaded by police. 

The military might choose to let the meeting proceed, hoping NLD members
unhappy about the failed talks could split the party. 

AP-NY-09-24-97 1430EDT