News on India papers on June 10th 1

[aungsan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: News on India papers on June 10th 1996

Warning billboards near Suu Kyis house
The Hindu (New Delhi) June 10 1996.
 
Yangon, June 9.
Burmas military junta erected signs near the home of Opposition 
leader, Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi on Sunday saying the Burmese 
people opposed 'foreign stooges' and wanted to crush 'destructive 
elements.'
 
The billboards in Burmese and in English, were unveiled about 40 
metres from Ms. Suu Kyis house in ceremony attended by 
Yangons Mayor and hundreds of people, mainly students of a 
nearby high school.
 
Headlined the peoples demands, the sign called for crushing of 
"internal and external destructionists." denounced foreign 
interference in Myanmar and warned of unnamed parties trying to 
destablised the country.
 
The list of the peoples desire became a fixture in the State media 
two weeks ago after Ms. Suu Kyi and her National League for 
Democracy said they would hold regular party congress and write a 
new Constitution. However, it is the first time that the list has been 
plastered on billboards in a public place.
 
"That the very first billboard ostensibly expressing the peoples 
leader desire has been put up near Aung San Suu Kyis residence is 
very telling," said one analysts. __ AFP.
 
Suu Kyi holds meeting
V. Jayanth reports from Singapore:
 
Despite the threat of a ban and the arrest of activists, Ms. Suu Kyi, 
went ahead with her residence on Saturday.
 
NLD sources in Yangon said despite the severe warning and 
intimidation tactics of the military regime, about 4,000 people 
gathered  in front of her house to listen to Ms. Suu Kyi. The NLD 
leader made it clear that she would continue her fight for democracy 
and all that she was asking for the people and their welfare. How 
could that constructed as anti-national? The source said that even 
around 2:30 p.m. people started gathering near her house and 
waited her for over an hour before Ms. Suu Kyi could address them. 
"There was no evidence of any military presence, nor were there any 
arrest till the people dispersed after the meeting."
 
They welcome the announcement from Washington that two special 
envoys were being deputed to Southeast Asia to evolve on a 
consensus approach to the crisis in Myanmar. The U.S has once 
again asked the junta to desis from cracking down on the pro-
democracy movement, arguing that Ms. Suu Kyis rights of 
speaking for Burmese people could not be suppressed or denied.
 
Though Washington has decided to send an envoy or two to the 
Asean countries, opinion here has more or less crystallised should 
not intervene in the internal affairs of Myanmar. But they will 
provide any assistance that Yangon seeks to promote a dialogue or a 
political process for the restoration of democracy. The initiative 
should come from junta.
 
Meanwhile, singapores former prime minister, mr. lee kuan yew, 
said neither ASEAN nor the U.S could save Myanmar form the 
present situation and there was no alternative instrument available 
on that country to replace the army.
 
******************
 
Record crowd for Suu Kyis speech
The Asian Age (New Delhi), June 10 1996.
 
Rangoon June 9: A record crowd of more than 10,000 people turned 
for a meeting outside the home of Burmese Opposition Leader Aung 
San Suu Kyi on Saturday, despite the threat of arrest by the military 
authorities.
 
Ms. Suu Kyi addressed her supporters from her compound for the 
second straight day, defying government threats to close down her 
National League for Democracy and ban its members.
 
"This is concrete demonstration of support for the NLD by the 
people," Ms Suu Kyi told the crowd. "I would like to thank all our 
supporters for their presence here." Regulars at the meeting said the 
boisterous crowd, which chanted "long live Aung San Suu Kyi" and 
"democracy will prevail," was the largest since the Opposition 
leaders release from house arrest last July.
 
Fears that the government would try to prevent the weekend 
meetings from taking place proved unfounded, and there were no 
attempts to shut down the massive show of support for Ms. Suu Kyi 
and the NLD.
 
The military junta issued an order on Friday giving the home 
ministry power to ban organisations holding "unlawful" gathering 
and imprison its members for up to 20 years. (AFP)
 
****************
 
THE PARANOIA OF JACKBOOTS
 
EDITORIAL
 
The Asian Age (New Delhi), June 19 1996.
 
The inspiring battle for democracy in Myanmar has again brought to 
attention the very special persona of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, both 
its general and foot soldier. Myanmar is not the only country to be 
ruled by fear but the degree of repression and fear exercised to keep 
the populace in check is extraordinary high , even by the standards 
of autocracies. The State Law and Order Restoration Council is 
peeved that all its elaborate attempts at legitimising the rule by a 
caucus of generals have been undone by a frail 50-year-old woman 
whose only weapons are fearlessness and sweeping public support. 
Times have changed a little in Myanmar that allows Ms Suu Kyi to 
speak in public and the people to attend her Yangon meetings. Most 
of the millions who marched in 1988 demanding nothing more than 
a democracy in their country remain paralysed with fear but, more 
significantly, thousands among them are learning to cast it off. The 
result is that the jackboots have begun to display the familiar signs 
of paranoia all over again. The mysterious cancellation of trains to 
thwart Ms Suu Kyis Mandalay visit, The arrest of her National 
League for Democracy members and their torture in prison and the 
campaign of calumny against the countrys most famous citizen 
shows up the weaknesses of a regime that has more gun than what is 
good for it. It will not be surprising if another wave of repression 
hits Myanmar. There are ample signed of the stare-controlled media 
trying to whip passions against Ms Suu Kyi on the orders of the 
generals. The Opposition leader is being used to call names such as 
axe-handle and puppet princess and the steady stream of personal 
attacks against her is an ominous sign given the unpredictable 
nature of the military regime there.
 
The Myanmar of 1996 is, to be optimistic, a little different from its 
self in 1988. Though the country was then intoxicated with the 
dream of achieving a civilised life, the entrenched military caucus 
was psychologically unprepared to accept the whittling of their 
powers and privileges. The savage repression of the pro-democracy 
activists and the battle against the ethnic rebels gave the regime only 
a illusory victory. The bloated armed forces became an economic 
bloodsucker. The generals had to open up their country to foreign 
investors to keep the instruments of repression in order. But an 
economic calling thriving country cannot be built on the shaky 
foundation of a frightened  citizenry. Economic and social 
institutions develop an autonomy and resilience that even controlled 
societies such as China and Iran have had to accept. The junta needs 
a sustained economic boom to keep the people away from politics 
and to offer a working alternative to Ms Suu Kyis political vision. 
The small businessman from Thailand and rapacious gangs from 
China plundering Myanmars natural wealth do not provide 
anything more than immediate relief for the ruling class. True 
prosperity will elude Myanmar till it remains an international 
pariah. This is the most potent weapon against the military regime. 
A sustained campaign might educate the military to accept the 
inevitability a voice of moderation and reason. Though unarmed, 
she is the one to hold advantage in the war of nerves. This, and only 
this, is the fragile shield behind which thousands of Myanmarese 
have taken cover in the unequal fight for democracy. If wishes can 
somehow be horses, the cavalry of international outrage will prove 
stronger than all the tank columns of discredited fascist state.
 
***********************