SCMP : Junta blocks NLD leader duri

[hlaing@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

South China Morning Post
Tuesday  July 21  1998
 
Junta blocks NLD leader during trip outside capital 

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE in Rangoon 

Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was blocked by security forces while
travelling outside the capital yesterday, the country's junta said.

The National League for Democracy (NLD) leader was stopped about 30km south
of Rangoon as she attempted to travel to Pantanaw, 75km from the city, the
junta said.

The incident was a repeat of one on July 7, when Ms Aung San Suu Kyi was
blocked from travelling north of Rangoon to meet supporters.

In that incident, she remained by the roadside overnight in a stand-off
with security forces before a local supporter was brought to see her.

The junta accused Ms Aung San Suu Kyi of seeking confrontation, and
predicted foreign governments and the international media would use the
incident to pillory Rangoon.

"It is regretful that the NLD leadership has again not only [been] ignoring
the importance of maintaining and consolidating stability, tranquility,
national unity and normalcy in the country but keeps on challenging the
Government at every turn under the pretext of human rights and democracy,"
the junta said.

"In recent weeks the NLD has upped the ante by adopting a confrontational
stance.

"Definitely, an issue will be made out of this incident, while some media
and foreign governments will exploit the opportunity to berate the
Government and to portray Myanmar [Burma] as an unstable country about to
explode with civil unrest and ethnic rebellion," it said.