Reuters : Myanmar warns of ``subver

[hlaing@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Myanmar warns of ``subversives'' before anniversary 
03:24 a.m. Aug 06, 1998 Eastern 

By Aung Hla Tun 

YANGON, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Myanmars military government told the public on
Thursday not to be taken in by subversive groups, which it accused of
trying to disrupt peace and tranquility in the country. 

In an apparent reference to a campaign by opposition groups to mark the
August 8 anniversary of the 1988 crackdown on pro-democracy activists, the
Myanmar-language ``Myanma Ahlin'' newspaper carried two speeches by
ministers warning of the dangers of subversion. 

``At present, the axe-handle traitors, who are dependent on outside powers,
instead of joining hands with the government in building genuine democracy,
are committing subversive acts,'' the newspaper quoted Minister for
Immigration and Population Saw Tun as telling his staff. 

``They are trying to hinder and mar the development of the state by
fabricating groundless rumours and creating mobs,'' the minister said. 

Myanmars newspapers are state-owned and a mouthpiece of the ruling State
Peace and Development Council (SPDC). 

Yangon has been rife with rumours over the past few days that the
opposition, led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, would try to mark the
August 8 anniversary with demonstrations or other high-profile actions. 

Diplomats say Suu Kyis National League for Democracy (NLD) could use the
anniversary to highlight its demand that the government convene by August
21 a parliament made up of members elected at polls in May 1990. 

The NLD swept those polls but the result was ignored by the military
government. 

``None of us have any idea what will happen, if anything, on Saturday
(August 8)... there could be demonstrations,'' said one Yangon-based
diplomat. ``But everybody is looking towards the day and there are plenty
of rumours.'' 

Suu Kyi, who was under house arrest for six years until 1995, has used her
lack of freedom as a weapon against the government, escaping from the
militarys security cordon around her house three times in recent weeks. 

In her latest foray on July 24, Suu Kyi and three others drove to a bridge
near Anyarsu Village about 64 km (40 miles) from Yangon before their car
was stopped by security officials. 

They ordered her to return to Yangon but she refused and began a six-day
sit-in, which the authorities ended forcibly on July 29. The sit-in got
worldwide coverage and prompted criticism of the Myanmar government from
leading nations. 

Suu Kyis health deteriorated during the protest, but she has vowed to
venture out again to meet supporters as soon as she is well. 

A government spokesman told Reuters on Wednesday it would be ``unwise'' for
Suu Kyi to try to leave Yangon on Saturday. 

The newspaper on Thursday quoted Minister of Industry Aung Thaung also
warning his staff that some ``major nations'' were collaborating in
spreading false rumours to cause the disintegration of the country. 

``They are attempting to disrupt peace and tranquility of the entire
people,'' he said. 

Saw Tun and Aung Thaung are members of the Central Executive Committee of
the pro-government Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA),
which boasts about eight million members.