AFP-NLDand the junta held landmark

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Aung San Suu Kyi in 7th day of deadlock with Myanmar junta
Tue 18 Aug 98 - 12:19 GMT 

YANGON, Aug 18 (AFP) - Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi Tuesday
spent a seventh day in a battle of wills with the junta on a rural bridge,
while her National League for Democracy (NLD) and the junta held landmark
talks in Yangon.

"It's way to early to say there is any rapprochement, but it is progress,"
said one Western diplomat.



National League for Democracy chairman Aung Shwe met for nearly an hour
with junta intelligence chief Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, widely seen as
number two in the military heirarchy, the NLD and junta said in separate
statements.



The junta described the talks as "open, cordial and frank."



"We hope this is the first in a series of confidence-building talks between
the government and the NLD," Khun Nyunt was quoted as saying.



"We have had a fruitful meeting and we also have appreciated the NLD's
acceptance of our offer of a meeting."



The NLD had declined previous invitations for talks as they excluded party
secretary general Aung San Suu Kyi and other key members.



Diplomats and residents said the capital was calm but reported widespread
rumours there would be unrest on Friday, when the Nobel peace prizewinner
has demanded the parliament elected in 1990 meets for the first time.



The NLD expressed concern about Aung San Suu Kyi's health and asked that
her doctor be allowed to examine her.



"Their food is running low and this could adversely effect her health," the
party said late Monday, adding the doctor had seen her and would make daily
examinations.



The party has also demanded the release of two NLD supporters -- Thein Oo
and Ohn Hla -- who it said were detained when they tried to visit the site
of the stand-off on a small bridge linking a highway to rice paddies 25
kilometres (15 miles) from Yangon.



Aung San Suu Kyi, along with two drivers and an NLD official, was stopped
by authorities last Wednesday as she tried to travel to meet supporters
outside Yangon. It was her fourth failed bid to visit provincial supporters
in a little over a month.



The junta has played down the latest stand-off as a "camping" expedition
and has repeatedly said it is doing all it can to ensure her welfare.



The NLD held the junta responsible for Aung San Suu Kyi falling ill
following the last confrontation, which ended after six days on July 29
when she was forcibly driven back to Yangon.



Officials have said she has been provided with food, a mobile bathroom and
even "a beach umbrella" and "garden chairs," as well as reading material, a
cassette player and tapes by Michael Jackson and Madonna.



"Her only options are to stay put or go home. I would expect she would
return home before August 21 because the deadline will lose a lot of its
impact if she isn't even there," said a Western diplomat.



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



The NLD has not said what action it will take if parliament is not convened
but other opposition groups have called for a mass campaign of civil
disobedience.



Residents expect small shops and businesses will stay closed Friday.



"There's a lot of talk of trouble, but nobody has any details," said one
diplomat.



But analysts said there was little chance of serious confrontation. A
limited protest by the NLD was seen as the most likely scenario if the
junta, as is expected, ignores the deadline.



"I think we might see some form of protest by the NLD but that could just
be a meeting at her house," said an Asian envoy.



"It would likely be something very low key, but there are these other
groups out there who might try something else."



Exiled Myanmar student groups Tuesday pledged their support for Aung San
Suu Kyi's stand-off and the demand that parliament be convened.



"We hereby denounce the regime for still barring Daw (honorific) Aung San
Suu Kyi from freedom of movement," the Thailand-based groups said in a
statement.



"The regime has not shown any signs to convene a democractic parliament
that must be convened within four days.



"We therefore will need to prepare to stand by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to make
her able to convene a democratic parliament herself."



The statement was issued by the Overseas National Students Organisation of
Burma, the All Burma Basic Education Students Union, and the Burmese
Students Association.



If the junta fails to convene parliament, some opposition groups have said
Aung San Suu Kyi may unilaterally declare a new government. However
diplomats said such a move would be largely symbolic as the junta retains
firm control.