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BURMA / OPPOSITION / L-O[voa]
- Subject: BURMA / OPPOSITION / L-O[voa]
- From: moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 30 Oct 1999 22:43:00
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
_