BBC-Exiled students mark Burmese up

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Subject: BBC-Exiled students mark Burmese uprising anniversary 

Sunday, August 8, 1999 Published at 09:43 GMT 10:43 UK
BBC-World: Asia-Pacific

Exiled students mark Burmese uprising anniversary

Exiled Burmese students in the Thai capital, Bangkok, have held a
demonstration outside Burma's embassy to mark the anniversary of the
military suppression of the pro-democracy uprising in Burma eleven years
ago.

They called for democracy and the release of political prisoners. They also
criticised the Association of South-East Asian Nations ASEAN for its
constructive engagement with the military government in Burma. In Burma
itself, the anniversary was reported to be passing off peacefully and the
capital, Rangoon, was described as calm.

Correspondents say no extra security measures appear to have been taken by
the authorities.

On the eve of the anniversary, the Burmese opposition leader and Nobel peace
prize winner, Aung San Suu Kyi, called for national reconciliation, saying
soldiers need not fear retribution from a civilian government.

>From the newsroom of the BBC World Service