Suu Kyi takes on her nemesis

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Sydney Morning Herald
BURMA

Suu Kyi takes on her nemesis
Date: 15/01/99



Bangkok: Ms Aung San Suu Kyi and her opposition National League for
Democracy have filed a criminal complaint against Burma's intelligence chief
for attempting to destroy their political party.

According to an NLD statement received yesterday, the complaint against
General Khin Nyunt was lodged with Burma's chief justice on December 31.

It accuses military intelligence units under his direction of illegally
arresting about 1,000 NLD members since September and forcing many of them
to resign from the party.

The units have used "threats, intimidation and illegal forceful pressure for
which there is not one iota of legal justification," the NLD said.

"In so doing, the military intelligence authorities have committed criminal
offences."

General Khin Nyunt, who has been described as Ms Suu Kyi's nemesis, is one
of the most powerful and feared generals in Burma. His intelligence services
frequently arrest Government opponents and oversee a nationwide network of
spies and informers.

According to several reports issued by the United Nations, which has
condemned Burma's Government for human rights abuses several times this
decade, arrested political opponents are frequently tortured.

Ms Suu Kyi and other NLD leaders have virtually no chance of winning the
suit. A NLD official once said: "The law is in the generals' mouths."

- Associated Press