True test in the service of democra

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Subject: True test in the service of democratic movement

Subject: Suu Kyi supporter stripped of medical license related to general 

 By PATRICK McDOWELL=
 Associated Press Writer=
   BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) _ A Burmese doctor and prominent
supporter of Aung San Suu Kyi who was recently stripped of his
medical license is the brother-in-law of one of Burma's ruling
generals.
   Burmese officials confirmed Friday that Dr. Than Nyein, elected
to parliament in 1990 for Suu Kyi's pro-democracy party, is an
elder brother of Dr. Khin Win Shwe, wife of Gen. Khin Nyunt, the
powerful head of military intelligence.
   Khin Nyunt is one of four generals comprising the ruling State
Law and Order Restoration Council, or SLORC, which never allowed
the overwhelmingly pro-Suu Kyi parliament to convene. His wife
heads the Myanmar Mother and Children Association.
   Suu Kyi, winner of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize for her
non-violent promotion of democracy, told reporters this week that
the regime has stepped up efforts to smash her National League for
Democracy and cited Than Nyein's case as an example.
   Than Nyein was recently stripped of his medical license for
allegedly opening a consultation room without permission. Suu Kyi
said that such clinics are common and claimed he was ``targeted
simply because he is a member of parliament of the NLD.''
   Authorities say Than Nyein's clinic was merely one of 312 that
action was taken against during a widespread crackdown.
   Than Nyein's version of the affair was detailed in a report to
NLD officials seen Friday in Bangkok. In it, he called the
government ``an evil system of dictatorship.''
   ``It is clear that the authorities have determined with great
vindictiveness and in a lawless fashion to crush all those working
for democracy at different levels of the National League for
Democracy,'' Than Nyein said.
   Than Nyein reported to his superiors in the party that he began
procedures to open the clinic in January. One of the requirements
was to submit photos of the consultation room.
   The doctor said that the required photos could be taken only
after he had equipped the room with a bed, medicine chest and other
items. As these preparations were going on, he said, a few patients
came in to consult him.
   On Feb. 16, the police chief, head medical officer and top
administrative official in Thaketa, the Rangoon neighborhood where
the clinic was located, questioned Than Nyein about its status. The
next day, they shut it down.
   According to Than Nyein's statement, the night of Feb. 17 his
clinic was searched and his files rummaged by the police chief,
head medical officer and several local officials. Than Nyein said
he would protest the search and was told in reply he would be
investigated.
   The actions reportedly came days after Than Nyein addressed
party members Feb. 12 for the Union Day holiday at Suu Kyi's house.
   The celebrations marked a rare gathering at Suu Kyi's home since
authorities put up roadblocks around it in September.
   Since the celebrations, Suu Kyi said the government has stepped
up arrests and threats against her supporters and even abducted
some to work as army porters. One of them was later found dead by a
roadside.
   The military has ruled Burma since 1962. The current regime
succeeded an earlier dictatorship during anti-government protests
in 1988 and killed thousands of demonstrators.
   Suu Kyi, daughter of independence hero Aung San, was catapulted
by the protests into the leadership of the democracy movement. She
was freed from six years of house arrest in 1995, but the
government has spurned her appeals for a dialogue.
   
071100 Mar GMT