Myanmar Party Marks Anniversary

[byva@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

Saturday September 26 6:12 AM EDT 

Myanmar Party Marks Anniversary

YANGON, Myanmar, (AP) - Marking its 10th anniversary this weekend, Myanmar's
decimated opposition party vowed today to continue its struggle for democracy
in a nation run by the military. 

Founded a decade ago Sunday, the National League for Democracy is led by Nobel
Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. But the party's ranks have thinned
because of mass arrests that began in May and members dropping out in fear of
being arrested. 

The NLD said the military regime has detained 921 of its members to date,
including 200 winners of 1990 parliamentary elections the party won by a
landslide. 

The military, which has ruled Myanmar since 1962, refused to accept the
election results. It is working on a new constitution instead. 

Party sources said the anniversary will be marked with a quiet, traditional
ceremony at which food will be offered to Buddhist
monks. 

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