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Subject: [theburmanetnews] BurmaNet News: DASSK update--August 26
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_____________ THE BURMANET NEWS ______________
An on-line newspaper covering Burma
August 26, 2000, Update: Stand-off at Dala, Issue # 1605
________________________________________________________
*BurmaNet: SPDC posts pictures on web of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U
Tin Oo at Dala
*AFP: Aung San Suu Kyi running low on supplies as showdown drags on
*SPDC: Government Continues to Provide Assistance to Daw Su Kyi and
Her Assistants
*Reuters: EU asks Myanmar to let opposition chief move freely
*AP: Myanmar rulers urge Suu Kyi to go back home as criticism mounts
*AFP: Aung San Suu Kyi's ordeal -- 12 years and counting
[This update is being mailed at 9:00pm Rangoon time, Saturday
August 26. BurmaNet will continue updates during the stand-off at
Dala, with the next one on Sunday morning unless events warrant
a sooner posting.]
____________________________________________________
BurmaNet: SPDC posts pictures on web of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U
Tin Oo at Dala
The regime has posted posted of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, U Tin Oo and
other NLD members who have been detained at a roadblock outside
Rangoon. The photos are online at:
http://www.myanmar-information.net/dala/
The three photos appear to have been taken with a telephoto lens and
seem to be intended both to reassure the world that the NLD leader
is safe-- but also to inflict humiliation. One of the photos shows a
nearly nude U Tin Oo bathing in a stream close to the road along with
several other members of the group.
The second photo is identified as including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi but
it is difficult to determine whether she is in fact, in the picture.
What may be a person lying on the ground is the only one that could
be Daw Suu, but the photo is not clear enough to even confirm that it
is person lying down, much less that it is Daw Suu.
The third photo shows three clearly uncomfortable young women
identified as NLD members and some food packages and bottled water
laid out on a mat. The photo is captioned "NLD members provide some
food and some bottles of mineral water." The caption contradicts AFP
and other wire service reports (see below) which indicate that the
regime is blocking the group from receiving food and water. During
similar stand-offs two years ago, the regime made similar assertions
about providing food, water and medical assistance to Daw Suu and
other detained NLD members.
After SPDC police forcibly returned Daw Suu returned to Rangoon,
evidence emerged that rather than providing food or even allowing
others to provide it, the regime had been blocking food and water.
____________________________________________________
AFP: Aung San Suu Kyi running low on supplies as showdown drags on
YANGON, Aug 26 (AFP) - Myanmar's junta was preventing food and water
from reaching opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as she prepared to
spend a third night camped in a car outside Yangon in a showdown with
the authorities, her party said Saturday.
The National League for Democracy (NLD) said Aung San Suu Kyi and
her entourage were running out of supplies and appealed for help from
local people in the township where the group was halted Thursday.
"If the health of those being blocked be impaired by lack of food
and water ... this is the entire responsibility of those who have
stopped them," the NLD central executive committee said in a letter
to the military regime.
"We demand that the blockade be immediately removed and the NLD
leaders be allowed to proceed to their desired destination."
The withholding of supplies and the regime's refusal to allow Aung
San Suu Kyi to go about legitimate party business were "criminal
acts", it said.
The Nobel laureate sparked the stand-off Thursday when she left
Yangon for a meeting of the party's youth wing in the outlying town
of Kawhmu, in defiance of an order which confines her to the capital.
It was her first attempt to travel outside Yangon since a dramatic
13-day confrontation on a bridge outside the capital in August 1998
which ended amid fears for her health.
The United States, the European Union and Britain have demanded the
junta lift the new blockade immediately.
"We are concerned about the health and safety of the National League
for Democracy group and hold the Burmese authorities directly
accountable for their welfare," said US State Department spokesman
Philip Reeker.
British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said he was "disturbed" by
reports of the stand-off.
"We urge the authorities to lift these unnecessary and unlawful
restrictions immediately and call on the regime to open an immediate
dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD," he said.
The Myanmar government said the opposition leader had been
travelling without proper security precautions and was stopped for
her own safety.
"Until safety conditions improve, Daw Suu Kyi is visiting Dallah, a
small but charming town which is just ten minutes by boat from
Yangon," it said.
In an apparent response to the criticism of the conditions she is
living in, the government released photographs of the stand-off,
showing party members bathing in a stream and being delivered food
and water.
The government insisted that every effort was being made to "ensure
the comfort and safety" of the party and that an ambulance and a
doctor were stationed at the scene in case of emergency.
"She and her companions remain free to return to their homes at any
time, or to continue staying by the roadside as long as the
conditions remain safe."
Aung San Suu Kyi and more than a dozen party members including NLD
vice-chairman U Tin Oo left Yangon by river ferry early Thursday and
were met on the other side by supporters and two vehicles for the
journey to Kawhmu.
They drove to Dallah where they were halted and ordered not to go
any further. Journalists representing foreign media have since been
barred from making the river crossing to Dallah.
However, witnesses said the two vehicles had been taken off the road
and moved about 200 yards (metres) along a dirt track. A police truck
blocked their path and the tyres had been let down.
Aung San Suu Kyi remained in her car, and party members took turns
to stand by her window with an umbrella to provide some shade during
the steamy days. They had also set up tarpaulins that served as
makeshift tents.
The opposition leader's intentions have not been made public, but it
appears she plans to continue the stand-off until she is allowed to
travel on to Kawhmu or is forced to return to Yangon.
Although she is no longer under house arrest as she was between 1989
and 1995, she is confined to the capital and her movements are
closely monitored.
In the last attempt to test these restrictions, in August 1998, she
camped out in a minibus on a bridge outside the capital after being
blocked from travelling to meet provincial supporters.
The NLD won a crushing victory in 1990 elections but the results
have never been recognised by the military, which has been in control
of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, in various guises since 1962.
____________________________________________________
SPDC: Government Continues to Provide Assistance to Daw Su Kyi and
Her Assistants
MYANMAR INFORMATION COMMITTEE
YANGON
Information Sheet
N0. B-1495(I) 26th August, 2000
Daw Su Kyi, U Soe Myint, U Tin Oo and her personal chauffeur together
with the other 12 travel companions are still continuing their rest
in Sarpachaun ward of Dala town today.
Meanwhile, the local authorities and townspeople have provided Daw Su
Kyi and her companions with food and drinks while the Government
medical team and local police officials remain nearby around the
clock to ensure her maximum comfort, welfare and security.
The Government of Myanmar regrets that security conditions make it
unsafe for Daw Su Kyi to travel to Twante area in taking unnecessary
security risk but the Government encourages Daw Su Kyi to return home
and continue her political activities in a more secure environment in
Yangon. The Government will also provide her with necessary
assistance to enable her to carry out
political activities successfully while in Dala.
However, she and her companions remain free to return to their homes
at any time, or to continue staying by the road side as long as the
conditions remain safe.
Meanwhile, students attending the recently resumed classes at the
universities and colleges and the parents are deeply concerned that
due to the recent statement issued by NLD in which the students have
been encouraged by the party to engage in politic seems to coincide
with the NLD's campaign to move the party's youth wing. A first year
student Mg Kyaw Kyaw from Dagon university said, " I want to pursue
my education continuously without any interruption but I am seriously
concerned when the NLD youths will become politically activated. The
NLD youths will are also students and they should be focusing on
their education and peacefully pursuing it."
Daw Mya Sein from Ahlone township who is a parent of student Mg Kyaw
Kyaw also expressed her concern and said, " It is my wish as a parent
not to see the political parties create youths or students to become
political activists. Our children need to enjoy their rights to
proper education and this should be respected by all."
____________________________________________________
Reuters: EU asks Myanmar to let opposition chief move freely
PARIS, Aug 26 (Reuters) - The European Union urged Myanmar on
Saturday to restore freedom of movement for opposition leader and
Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi.
``The EU presidency reiterates its constant demand, as well as that
of its European partners, that the restrictions on the freedom of
movement of the secretary-general of the National League for
Democracy (NLD) be lifted, `` said a statement available on the web
site of the French presidency of the EU.
The EU also said it was worried about information concerning Suu
Kyi, who was reported to have been blocked in her car outside the
Myanmar capital Yangon in the company of other members of the NLD.
The EU reiterated the ``importance it attaches to the establishment
of a dialogue between the Burmese (Myanmar) authorities and Mrs Aung
San Suu Kyi's NLD, as well as with other democratic forces and
national minorities.''
``Only this dialogue can allow Burma to progress along the road to
democratisation and national reconciliation.''
____________________________________________________
AP: Myanmar rulers urge Suu Kyi to go back home as criticism mounts
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) _ Myanmar's military government on Saturday
urged pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to return home and end a
three-day roadside standoff with security forces who have blocked her
car outside the capital, Yangon.
Suu Kyi and her companions ``remain free to return to their homes at
anytime, or to continue staying by the road side as long as the
conditions remain safe,'' said a government statement released in
Yangon.
The statement indicated that the government was keeping open the
option of sending her back to Yangon forcibly, using her safety as a
pretext.
Suu Kyi was stopped by police and security forces in the Yangon
suburb of Dala on Thursday when she and other party members tried to
drive out to the countryside for party organizational work. She has
refused to go back to the capital and has spent the last two nights
in the car. It appeared she was ready to spend a third night there.
It was the first time in two years that Suu Kyi had tried to leave
Yangon, and the swift security action she provoked indicated that the
military government, which has ruled Myanmar with an iron fist since
1988, is in no mood to allow any opposition activity.
She had tried to leave four times in 1998 but was stopped every
time. On one occasion, she remained in her car for nearly six days
and on another for 13 days.
On Friday, the London-based Amnesty International urged the
government to let Suu Kyi travel unhindered.
In a statement, Donna Guest of Amnesty said restricting Suu Kyi's
movements is another example of the military's attempts to stamp out
``all peaceful opposition activities'' in Myanmar, also known as
Burma.
``This level of surveillance and intimidation is all part of the
general harassment'' by the government against Suu Kyi's National
League for Democracy party, she said. Similar protests were made by
the United States and Britain on Friday.
Also, NLD chairman Aung Shwe wrote to Myanmar's military leader,
Gen. Than Shwe, on Friday saying Suu Kyi and the others ``have been
illegally and unlawfully prevented by the military dictators which
amounts to criminal act.'' A copy of the letter was given to
reporters in Yangon on Saturday.
Suu Kyi's car and a pickup carrying 12 party supporters have been
herded into a small lane, which has been blocked by two trucks on
both ends, witnesses said.
Aung Shwe's letter said tires of both vehicles were deflated.
The government statement said Suu Kyi has been provided with an
ambulance from Yangon with one doctor and six medical attendants
around the clock to ``ensure her maximum comfort and welfare.''
It said she was not allowed to go further because security
conditions make it unsafe for her to travel outside Yangon. It said
the government ``encourages'' her to return home and continue ``her
political activities in a more secure environment in Yangon.''
Meanwhile, the government will assist her in carrying out political
activities in Dala, a ``small but charming town which is 10 minutes
by boat from Yangon,'' the statement said.
Security problems have rarely been reported in Kungyangon, 50
kilometers (30 miles) south of Yangon, where Suu Kyi was planning to
go.
Reporters were stopped by security forces at the ferry crossing
point on the Yangon river, which separates Yangon from Dala, and
politely told to go back.
On Saturday, two NLD cars waited on the Yangon side of the ferry
crossing in case Suu Kyi decided to return. Residents coming from
Dala said there was little traffic on the roads in the suburb.
Suu Kyi has been at loggerheads with the military government since
1988 when she helped lead a pro-democracy uprising, which was
brutally crushed by the government.
A year after that she was put under house arrest. The order was
lifted in 1995 but her movements have remained restricted. The
government also refuses to honor the results of the 1990 general
elections which her party won by a landslide.
2000-08-26 Sat 06:43
____________________________________________________
AFP: Aung San Suu Kyi's ordeal -- 12 years and counting
YANGON, Aug 26 (AFP) - Since forming the National League of Democracy
12 years ago, Aung San Suu Kyi has had an endless series of troubles
from the Myanmar military junta.
Following are major events:
1988, Aug-Sep 8: Mass demonstrations demanding an end to the
military dictatorship in place since 1962 are staged across the
country after months of turmoil. Troops open fire on the crowds,
leaving hundreds or thousands dead according to different estimates.
Military takes charge. National League for Democracy, led by Aung San
Suu Kyi, daughter of independence hero Aung San, is formed.
1989, July: Aung San Suu Kyi is placed under house arrest.
1990 May: Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD bags 392 out of 485 seats in
parliamentary elections. The military government, known as the State
Law and Order Restoration Council, annuls the results.
1991: Aung San Suu Kyi is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
1995: The junta releases Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest.
1996: The government bans Aung San Suu Kyi from addressing
supporters outside her house.
1997, May: Hundreds of police prevent the holding of an NLD congress
at Aung San Suu Kyi's home.
1998, July-August: Aung San Suu Kyi makes several attempts to flee
the capital but is blocked by a military escort. The NLD calls for a
meeting of the 1990 parliament, a move which triggers a crackdown
against the party and the arrest of hundreds of followers.
1999, March: Aung San Suu Kyi's husband, Michael Aris, dies in
Britain from cancer. The junta denied Aris a visa in the last months
of his illness. His wife elects not to visit him, fearing she may be
barred from returning.
2000, Aug 24: Aung San Suu Kyi faces off military authorities in a
town outside Yangon. NLD members say security officials stopped her
as her car approached Dallah township, about 32 kilometres (20 miles)
from Yangon.
Aung San Suu Kyi sparked the stand-off when she left Yangon for a
meeting with the party's youth wing in the outlying town of Kawhmu,
in defiance of an order which confines her to the capital.
The Myanmar government said the Nobel laureate was travelling
without security precautions and had been stopped for her own safety.
The United States, Britain criticise the restrictions on her
movement.
2000-08-26 Sat 05:18
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
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