Bangkok Post News (14/9/98)

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Riot police lurk around NLD base

Paper says Tin Oo face risk of arrest

Dozens of riot police were deployed around the headquarters of Burma's
leading opposition National League for Democracy Party (NLD) yesterday amid
escalating political tensions, witnesses said.
The police, carrying shields and batons, stayed in the shadows of buildings
near the Rangoon NLD complex, residents of the capital said.
They were also equipped with mobile barriers which could be used to quickly
seal off the downtown road.
At least 200 riot police remained on standby around the Hlaing university
campus, where students have been staging anti-government demonstrations
over the last two weeks, but no incidents were reported.
"Obviously they are prepared to deal with any developments, but nothing
seems to be happening," one Western diplomat said.
Diplomats said they were unable to confirm a claim by an exiled student
group that 15 junta officers had been arrested for planning to meet NLD
leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF) said the officers six
colonels and a lieutenant-colonel from the army, three navy majors and five
air force colonels - were detained in Rangoon on September 5.
The state media warned yesterday that NLD vice chairman Tin Oo faced
possible arrest for trying to split the country's powerful armed forces.
A commentary in two state-owned Burmese language newspapers said Tin Oo had
been involved in distributing leaflets aimed at sowing discord within the
military.
"These days the NLD is sowing the seeds of discord among the Tatmadaw
(armed forces) by distributing the so called 'An appeal to the Tatmadaw
men'? it is quite clear that U Tin Oo masterminded these plots," it said.

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