junta's rudeness

[tinkyi@xxxxxxx]

Aung San Suu Kyi "like an animal with the long tail": Myanmar junta

       Thu 13 Aug 98 - 04:39 GMT

       YANGON, Aug 13 (AFP) - Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is
"like an animal with the long tail," the
       country's junta said Thursday, suggesting she was a monkey being
forced to perform by foreign masters.

       Without directly identifying the Nobel peace laureate, a commentary
in the official New Light of Myanmar daily said
       she was unable to back down or make concessions in dealing with the
junta "or else those from outside will describe
       or criticize her that she has deviated from the original course or
softened her stance."

       "She will not allow it to happen," it said. "She has the pride."

       The National League for Democracy (NLD) leader, in the second day of
a roadside stand-off with military officials
       Thursday after being blocked from travelling to meet supporters
outside the capital, has demanded the junta convene
       parliament by August 21 or face unspecified consequences.

       Analysts and exiled opposition figures have said the ultimatum has
put her in a position where she must take action if
       she is to retain credibility.

       The NLD-led opposition won 1990 polls by a landslide but the junta
has refused to relinquish power.

       The commentary added that foreign powers had given Aung San Suu Kyi
so many plaudits that they "should be
       recorded on a computer."

       "The person concerned will not be able to remember all those awards,"
it said.

       "She has been likened to one historic person after another.

       "As things have gone too far, she is like an animal with the long
tail that has been placed on the throne.

       "Under the circumstances, the animal could not jump down from the
throne.

       "It is true."


)AFP 1998