VOA Broadcast: 11/6/97

[sbillenness@xxxxxxxx]

DATE=11/6/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-222264
TITLE=BURMA / AUNG SAN SUU KYI (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=MATTHEW CHANCE
DATELINE=BANGKOK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:  

INTRO: THE MILITARY AUTHORITIES IN BURMA HAVE SHARPLY CRITICIZED 
THE COUNTRY'S PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT, ACCUSING IT OF INCITING 
RIOTS.  A SENIOR MILITARY SPOKESMAN SAYS THE CONFRONTATIONAL 
STANCE OF THE MOVEMENT -- WHICH IS LED BY THE NOBEL LAUREATE, 
AUNG SAN SUU KYI -- IS PREVENTING BURMA FROM MOVING TOWARD 
DEMOCRACY.  MATTHEW CHANCE REPORTS FROM OUR SOUTHEAST ASIA BUREAU
IN BANGKOK:

TEXT: THE STATE-CONTROLLED MEDIA IN BURMA CARRIED THE REMARKS, 
MADE BY THE MILITARY'S POWERFUL INTELLIGENCE CHIEF, GENERAL KHIN 
NYUNT.  IT IS SHAMEFUL -- HE SAID -- FOR BURMESE CITIZENS TO 
DISRUPT LAW AND ORDER IN THEIR COUNTRY. 

HE SAID PRO-DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS ARE PUSHING BURMA TOWARDS AN 
ABYSS AND -- IN HIS WORDS -- THE CHAOS IS SIMILAR TO THE PERIOD 
IN BURMA BEFORE 1962.

THAT WAS THE YEAR BURMA'S MILITARY OVERTHREW THE DEMOCRATIC 
GOVERNMENT IN THE COUNTRY AND SEIZED POWER.  IT HAS RULED, UNDER 
A CHANGING LEADERSHIP, EVER SINCE. 

GENERAL ELECTIONS IN 1990 WERE WON, CONVINCINGLY, BY THE NATIONAL
LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY -- OR N-L-D -- LED BY AUNG SAN SUU KYI.  BUT
THE RESULTS WERE IGNORED BY THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT, WHICH HAS 
REFUSED TO RELINQUISH POWER.

THE LATEST VITRIOLIC ATTACK AGAINST THE N-L-D COMES AMID A 
CLAMPDOWN ON PRO-DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS IN BURMA.  EARLIER THIS 
WEEK, THE N-L-D LAMBASTED THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT FOR FOR 
RESTRICTING PARTY ACTIVITIES AND THE MOVEMENTS OF AUNG SAN SUU 
KYI.

THE PARTY SAYS THE NOBEL LAUREATE WAS PREVENTED FROM LEAVING HER 
HOME IN RANGOON ON WEDNESDAY.  IT HAS ALSO DENOUNCED THE 
GOVERNMENT FOR PREVENTING PARTY MEETINGS OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS,
INTENDED TO ORGANIZE THE N-L-D'S YOUTH WING. 

OBSERVERS SAY THE BURMESE GOVERNMENT, WHICH IS WIDELY CRITICIZED 
FOR ABUSES OF HUMAN RIGHTS, OFTEN ARGUES THAT OPPOSITION GROUPS 
ARE STIFLING DEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTRY. 

THE UNITED STATES HAS IMPOSED TOUGH ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON BURMA 
BECAUSE OF ITS POOR HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD.  BUT -- DESPITE AN N-L-D
CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT IT -- THE COUNTRY HAS BEEN ADMITTED TO THE 
REGIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH EAST ASIAN NATIONS TRADING BLOC.  
(SIGNED)

NEB/MC/FC/KL

06-Nov-97 5:37 AM EST (1037 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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