AFP-Yangon quiet on anniversary of

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Subject: AFP-Yangon quiet on anniversary of bloody uprising

Yangon quiet on anniversary of bloody uprising
YANGON, Aug 8 (AFP) - The streets of Myanmar's capital were quiet on Sunday,
the 11th anniversary of a bloody student uprising, despite calls by exiled
dissidents for civil protests.
Residents in Yangon said nightime security had been stepped up over the
week, but that there were no apparent signs of unusual activity or increased
security during the day.

"I haven't seen anything other than the normal police and military presence
outside the NLD's headquarters or Aung San Suu Kyi's compound," one observer
said.

Sunday is the anniversary of the country's August 8, 1988, or 8/8/88,
uprising in which hundreds of pro-democracy demonstrators were gunned down
and a junta took power from military dictator Ne Win.

Myanmar pro-democracy opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who heads the
National League for Democracy (NLD), called for reconciliation on the eve of
the anniversary, saying soldiers need not fear retribution from a civilian
government.

She urged the ruling army and the people "to work hand in hand to achieve
democracy, where the people govern the country".

"There is no question that the people's government will honor the role of
the Tatmadaw (military)," said a transcript of the message distributed by
the Alternative Asean Network on Burma (ALTSEAN), which said it was
broadcast on Burmese-language radio.

ALTSEAN is a Southeast Asian network of academics, non-governmental
organisations and dissidents. Burma is the former name for Myanmar.

Meanwhile, the Thailand-based All Burma Students' Democratic Front issued at
statement Saturday warning conditions in Myanmar were ripe for another
uprising.

The dissident group called for the people of Myanmar to rally behind Aung
San Suu Kyi, and for the junta to enter dialogue with the NLD and warring
ethnic minorities.

The NLD under Aung San Suu Kyi won an easy victory in 1990 elections but the
military refuses to recognise the result and keeps the Nobel laureate under
constant military surveillance at her Yangon home.

The junta last week stepped up its rhetoric against the opposition as
authorities tried to smother memories of the bloody student uprising 11
years ago.

Junta First Secretary Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, in a speech widely
reported in Myanmar's state-run press, accused the NLD of conspiring with
foreign "superpowers" to overthrow the junta.