VOA-BURMA POL -GARY THOMAS BANGKOK

[hlaing@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

DATE=8/18/98
BURMA POL -GARY THOMAS BANGKOK
 

INTRO:  A SENIOR BURMESE OFFICIAL HAS MET WITH SENIOR MEMBERS OF 
THE OPPOSITION NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY.  DETAILS OF THE 
MEETING ARE NOT AVAILABLE.  BUT AS CORRESPONDENT GARY THOMAS 
REPORTS FROM OUR SOUTHEAST ASIA BUREAU IN BANGKOK, PRO-DEMOCRACY 
LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI, WHO IS ENGAGED IN A STANDOFF WITH THE 
GOVERNMENT, WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MEETING.

TEXT:  A BURMESE GOVERNMENT STATEMENT SAYS LIEUTENANT GENERAL 
KHIN NYUNT, SECRETARY-ONE OF THE RULING STATE PEACE AND 
DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, AND OTHER TOP OFFICIALS MET FOR 45-MINUTES 
WITH AUNG SHWE, CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY.

THE STATEMENT QUOTES THE PARTICIPANTS AS SAYING THE MEETING AS --
OPEN, FRANK, AND CORDIAL.  

GENERAL KHIN NYUNT SAID THE MEETING WAS FRUITFUL AND THE 
GOVERNMENT HOPES IT WILL BE THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF 
CONFIDENCE-BUILDING TALKS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE N-L-D.  
FURTHER DETAILS WERE NOT RELEASED, AND OFFICIALS OF THE NATIONAL 
LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY COULD NOT BE REACHED FOR COMMENT.

ABSENT FROM THE MEETING WAS N-L-D LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI.  SHE 
IS IN THE SEVENTH DAY OF A ROADSIDE STANDOFF WITH THE GOVERNMENT 
OVER THEIR REFUSAL TO LET HER TRAVEL OUTSIDE RANGOON TO MEET WITH
LOCAL OFFICIALS OF HER PARTY.

BUT IT IS NOT KNOWN IF SHE WOULD HAVE EVEN BEEN INVITED.  THE 
GOVERNMENT HAS LONG SAID IT IS WILLING TO HOLD TALKS WITH THE 
N-L-D -- BUT WITHOUT AUNG SAN SUU KYI.   (SIGNED)

NEB/GPT/RAE

18-Aug-98 8:18 AM EDT (1218 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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