News from India (r)

[shar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

RIGHTS GROUP FLAYS JUNTA OVER ARRESTS

Bangkok,   June  23:   A  southeast  Asian  activist  group
condemned Burma's military government on Monday for using a
video  the organization  made of democracy  leader Aung San
Suu  Kyi as a pretext for arresting five of her supporters.

In  the video  Ms Suu  Kyi appealed  to the  Association of
Southeast  Asian Nations leaders not admit Burma's military
government to the regional grouping until there is progress
towards democracy.

Altsean,  the alternative Asean network in Burma,  released
the  tape on May 28. Days  later, Asean, which comprises of
Brunei,  Indonesia,  Malaysia, the  Philippines, Singapore,
Thailand  and Vietnam,  ignored the  1991 Nobel Peace Prize
winner's  plea and voted to admit Burma along with Laos and
Cambodia in July.

Last  week,  Burma's military government arrested fur of Ms
Aung  San  Suu  Kyi's relatives  and  her  photographer for
allegedly   smuggling  the   video  out   of  the  country.

"We  condemn these  arrests and interpret  them as cowardly
acts.   We are sure that those arrested did not smuggle the
video abroad," said Debbie Stothard, Althsean's
coordinator.

"We  are deeply concerned about  the safety and well- being
of  the people arrested and we call for their immediate and
unconditional release." she said. (AP)

                                 The Asian Age 24 June 1997
     News and Information Bureau, All Burma Students League

************************( End )****************************

    +=====================================+
    |  A  B  S  L                         |
    +-------------------------------------+
    |  All Burma Students League          |
    |  3, Krishna Menon Marg              |
    |  New Delhi - 110011                 |
    |  Ph    : 91-11-3017172/3016035      |
    |  Fx    : 91-11-3793397              |
    |  Email : shar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx   |
    +=====================================+