VOA REPORT 7/4

[moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

DATE=4/7/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-212509
TITLE=BURMA / BOMB (S)
BYLINE=GARY THOMAS
DATELINE=BANGKOK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:    

INTRO: A BOMB HAS EXPLODED IN BURMA -- REPORTEDLY KILLING THE 
DAUGHTER OF  ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S MOST-SENIOR MILITARY OFFICERS. 
THE BLAST IS REPORTED TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE SUNDAY EVENING.  VOA 
CORRESPONDENT GARY THOMAS REPORTS FROM OUR SOUTHEAST ASIA BUREAU 
IN BANGKOK. 

TEXT: ACCORDING TO SOURCES IN THE BURMESE CAPITAL, A PARCEL BOMB 
WENT OFF SUNDAY EVENING AT THE HOME OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL TIN OO,
KILLING THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER.  

GENERAL TIN OO IS A LEADING MEMBER OF BURMA'S RULING STATE LAW 
AND ORDER RESTORATION COUNCIL.  DETAILS ARE STILL SKETCHY, BUT 
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS CONFIRM THE BOMBING DID OCCUR.  

THEY HAVE NOT ACCUSED ANYONE OF THE BOMBING, AND SAY THEY WILL 
RELEASE MORE INFORMATION LATER. GENERAL TIN OO IS CONSIDERED TO 
BE A HARDLINER IN THE GOVERNMENT AND IS ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO ANY 
DIALOGUE WITH PRO-DEMOCRACY FORCES. IT IS THE SECOND BOMBING IN 
THE CAPITAL IN FOUR MONTHS.  

ON DECEMBER 25TH,  TWO BOMBS EXPLODED AT A BUDDHIST SHRINE IN 
RANGOON, KILLING FIVE PEOPLE AND WOUNDING 17.  TENSIONS HAVE BEEN
FURTHER HEIGHTENED BY RECENT CONFRONTATIONS BETWEEN THE COUNTRY'S
MAJORITY BUDDHIST AND MINORITY MUSLIM COMMUNITIES. 

THE GOVERNMENT ORDERED SECURITY BEEFED UP IN BURMA IN 
ANTICIPATION OF  NEXT WEEK'S BUDDHIST NEW YEAR FESTIVAL.  
CELEBRANTS WERE WARNED TO AVOID  ANY ACTION THAT COULD, AS 

OFFICIALS PUT IT, "THREATEN NATIONAL UNITY." (SIGNED) 

NEB/GPT/SFT/ FC 

07-Apr-97 1:07 AM EDT (0507 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America