SLORC gags Thai press

[ausgeo@xxxxxxx]

Thursday May 15 

Burma junta gags Thai press

BANGKOK, May 15 (UPI) _ The Burmese government is reported to have told 
reporters accompanying the Thai prime minister to Rangoon to stay away from 
opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. 

The Bangkok Post says today the restrictions on reporters covering the visit 
of Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh (CHA-WA-LIT YONG-CHAI- YUT) this 
weekend were set out in a letter from the SLORC  to the Thai Foreign Ministry. 


Chavalit is scheduled to arrive in Rangoon on Friday for a two-day visit 
accompanied by 42 government representatives and 15 reporters. 

The letter says the 15 reporters would be watched by the Burmese Information 
Ministry to make sure they do not go to Daw Suu Kyi's home in Rangoon. 

Burma's ruling military junta keeps a tight rein on the local press and 
prohibits foreign journalists from being based in the country. 

The Thai prime minister has been a staunch backer of the Burmese military 
government since his days as an army general. 

During talks with junta leaders, Chavalit is expected to reaffirm his backing 
for Burma's early entry as a full member of the Association of Southeast Asian 
Nations. 

He also is expected to voice his opposition to American sanctions against 
Rangoon, which were imposed last month by President Clinton to punish the 
junta for human rights abuses.