BBC on Burma

[jhtinzaw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Friday, February 12, 1999 Published at 11:19 GMT 


             World: Asia-Pacific

             Burma marks Union Day 



             The Burmese military government has threatened strong
             action against its opponents during ceremonies to mark
             Union Day, the anniversary of a pre-independence
             agreement with the country's ethnic minorities. 

             The chairman of the military government, Than Shwe,
             called for the annihilation of destructive forces at home
             and abroad. 

             Hundreds of people gathered at the headquarters of the
             Democracy leader, Aung San Suu-kyi, who handed out
             rice to the crowd. 

             She made no speech. 

             But a spokesman for the movement in Bangkok said the
             party had remained strong despite the forced resignation
             of many of its members in recent months. 

             From the newsroom of the BBC World Service

              


12/2/99BBC