[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

BURMA/SUU KYI (r)



 DATE=8/7/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236677
TITLE=BURMA / AUNG SAN SUU KYI (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=GARY THOMAS
DATELINE=BANGKOK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: ANGERED OVER HER RECENT TREATMENT BY AUTHORITIES, BURMESE 
PRO-DEMOCRACY LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI HAS DEMANDED THAT THE 
GOVERNMENT SECURITY DETAIL STATIONED AROUND HER HOME LEAVE.  THE 
GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WILL COMPLY WITH HER REQUEST, BUT NO TIMETABLE
HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE TEAM'S WITHDRAWAL.  VOA CORRESPONDENT GARY
THOMAS REPORTS FROM OUR SOUTHEAST ASIA BUREAU IN BANGKOK.

TEXT: AUNG SAN SUU KYI HAS DEMANDED THAT THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT 
WITHDRAW THE SECURITY PERSONNEL STATIONED AROUND THE CLOCK AT HER
LAKESIDE COMPOUND IN RANGOON.  THE GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WILL DO SO.

HER PARTY, THE NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY, SAYS AUNG SAN SUU 
KYI SENT A LETTER TO GENERAL THAN SHWE LAST WEEK ASKING THAT THE 
SECURITY PERSONNEL BE WITHDRAWN. ON FRIDAY MORNING, SHE ORDERED 
THE GUARDS TO LEAVE.

IN A STATEMENT ISSUED FRIDAY AFTERNOON, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN 
SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS SURPRISED AT WHAT HE LABELS HER "REQUEST"
AND THAT SHE GAVE NO EXPLANATION.  THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE 
GOVERNMENT IS NEVERTHELESS HAPPY TO COMPLY AND THAT DISCUSSIONS 
ARE CURRENTLY UNDERWAY ABOUT THE SECURITY MEASURES. HE ADDS, 
HOWEVER, THAT AS WHAT HE TERMS A "PROMINENT CITIZEN" AND THE 
DAUGHTER OF A NATIONAL HERO, AUNG SAN SUU KYI WILL ALWAYS BE 
PROVIDED WITH ALL NECESSARY SECURITY AND PROTECTION.

ACCORDING TO WESTERN DIPLOMATS WHO HAVE TALKED TO HER, AUNG SAN 
SUU KYI IS ANGRY OVER HER TREATMENT AT THE HANDS OF HER SECURITY 
DETAIL DURING A STANDOFF OUTSIDE RANGOON.  SHE WAS STOPPED BY 
AUTHORITIES OUTSIDE RANGOON FROM TRAVELLING TO MEET WITH PARTY 
LEADERS. AFTER SIX DAYS BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SECURITY 
PERSONNEL TOOK CONTROL OF HER CAR AND FORCED HER BACK TO HER 
RANGOON COMPOUND.

AUNG SAN SUU KYI AGREED TO ALLOW A SECURITY DETAIL ON THE 
PREMISES OF HER RANGOON COMPOUND FOLLOWING HER RELEASE FROM HOUSE
ARREST IN 1995, BELIEVING THEM TO BE NECESSARY FOR HER SAFETY.  
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE SECURITY DETAIL HAS BEEN 
PROVIDED AT NO EXPENSE.

HOWEVER, THE SECURITY DETAIL ALSO PERFORMS INTELLIGENCE 
FUNCTIONS, KEEPING TRACK OF VISITORS AND, WHEN THE GOVERNMENT 
DEEMS FIT, CUTTING OFF OUTSIDE ACCESS TO THE DEMOCRACY LEADER.

TENSIONS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT HAVE 
RISEN IN RECENT WEEKS.  IN A COUNTRY WHERE INFORMATION IS TIGHTLY
CONTROLLED BY THE GOVERNMENT, RUMORS ARE IN WIDE CIRCULATION, 
WITH MOST OF THEM SPEAKING OF SOME LOOMING SHOWDOWN BETWEEN THE 
N-L-D AND THE GOVERNMENT.

SATURDAY MARKS THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PRO-DEMOCRACY 
UPRISING THAT WAS RUTHLESSLY CRUSHED BY AUTHORITIES.  IT IS NOT 
KNOWN WHAT COMMEMORATION, IF ANY, THE DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT PLANS 
INSIDE BURMA. HOWEVER, EXILE GROUPS ARE USING THE OCCASION TO 
REITERATE CALLS FOR THE OUSTER OF THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT AND THE
INSTALLATION OF DEMOCRATIC RULE.

THE N-L-D HAS ALSO DEMANDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT CONVENE THE 
PARLIAMENT THAT WAS ELECTED IN THE 1990 ELECTIONS BY AUGUST 21ST.
THE N-L-D OVERWHELMINGLY WON THOSE ELECTIONS, BUT THE MILITARY 
REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE RESULTS.  SINCE THEN, THE MILITARY 
GOVERNMENT HAS WAGED A STEADY CAMPAIGN TO HARASS AND INTIMIDATE 
THE PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT. (SIGNED)

NEB/GPT/GC/FC

07-Aug-98 6:19 AM EDT (1019 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
 .