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Democrats' anniversary congress lik
South China Morning Post
Saturday September 13 1997
Democrats' anniversary congress likely to anger military
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE in Rangoon
Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) is planning a two-day
"mass meeting" to mark its ninth anniversary this month at her home in the
capital.
Party chairman Aung Shwe had sent instructions to all district organisers and
executives across Burma to attend on September 27-28, party sources said
yesterday.
The NLD attempted to stage a party congress at the same time last year, but
the military effectively barred the meeting and detained more than 500 party
supporters.
The ruling junta has not allowed the NLD to stage a big political meeting
since, and imposes severe restrictions on access to Ms Aung San Suu Kyi's
lakeside home.
Mr Aung Shwe has told officials to arrive in Rangoon by September 25 at the
latest and report to NLD headquarters about two kilometres from Ms Aung San
Suu Kyi's compound. Sources said it would be a "mass meeting".
Observers said the move would provoke a reaction from the military regime.
The party was also prevented from holding an election-anniversary congress in
May.
Hundreds of activists were warned to stay home or were turned back when they
arrived in Rangoon.