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BURMA / OPPOSITION / L-O[voa]



  DATE=10/30/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=BURMA / OPPOSITION / L-O
NUMBER=2-255640
BYLINE=GERALDINE CARROLL
DATELINE=BANGKOK
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:


Intro:  Burma's supreme court has dismissed charges in 
a lawsuit by the opposition National League For 
Democracy Party, which claims the military government 
has illegally harassed and intimidated its members.  
Geraldine Carroll reports From our Southeast Asia 
Bureau.

 TEXT:  Burma's supreme court says there is no 
evidence to support charges by  the opposition 
National League for Democracy Party that its  members 
have been illegally harassed by the military 
government.  The court has dropped all investigations 
in the case.

The N-L-D suit named 29 members of the military 
government it says took part in a campaign of 
intimidation against the party.  The head of military 
intelligence, Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, was among 
officials named in the case.  The N-L-D dismisses 
frequent reports in the state media of mass defections 
from its ranks.  It says Burma's military rulers are 
forcing people to leave the party, against their will. 
But the government counters that those leaving are  
disillusioned with the leadership of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Burma's electoral commission says 105 of the 392 N-L-D 
candidates elected in 1990 have left the party of their 
own free will. 

The opposition party of the Nobel Peace Prize winner 
Aung San Suu Kyi has been battling Burma's military 
leaders since the government failed to hand over 
power to the N-L-D after it won a landslide victory in 
1990's elections.

The military junta holds a tight grip on power over 
all institutions in the country, including the legal 
system.  Sources in Rangoon say the outcome of the 
case was not a surprise. The N-L-D vows to pursue the 
case, within legal bounds.

Meanwhile, the Burmese government has carried out a 
minor cabinet reshuffle.  State media reports say 
Major General Kyaw Than -- minister of trade and  
commerce -- and sports minister Brigadier General Sein 
Win have retired in a  move sanctioned by junta 
leaders.  No reasons were given for the changes.  
Former social welfare minister, Brigadier General Kyi 
Zon, takes over the trade and commerce portfolio, 
while Major General Sein Htwa moves from religious 
affairs to social welfare

Political analysts have anticipated changes to the 
cabinet before the end of the year and say further 
adjustments are likely. (signed)

Neb / wd

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