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SLORC Lays Down Terms of Suu Kyi's (r)



 .c Kyodo News Service    

BANGKOK, Oct. 24 (Kyodo) - Myanmar's military government released a statement
Friday saying pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's movements would not be
restricted provided she conducts her political activities ''within the
framework of the law.'' 

Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and the 1991 Nobel
Peace Prize laureate, Tuesday made her first political trip outside Yangon
since being released from six years of house arrest in July 1995 to speak to
supporters in Thakata, on the outskirts of the capital. 

''There is no government restriction on her movements. In fact, the
authorities concerned have only requested her to be careful in her activities
outside her compound for her own security, and conduct political activities
within the framework of the law and within the established regulations
governing such activities so that peace, tranquillity and stability will not
be disturbed,'' said the statement faxed to Kyodo News. 

Authorities in September last year put up barricades to block access to Suu
Kyi's home in order to bar her from talking to her supporters in popular
weekend gatherings outside her lakeside home, where more than 10,000 people
had regularly gathered to hear her speak. 

She has curtailed forays outside her home since last November, when a car she
was riding in was set upon by a mob of junta supporters in an attack
allegedly organized by authorities. 

Myanmar became a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
in July, and a Thai diplomat said ASEAN could claim some credit for the
apparent change in the junta's attitude in allowing Suu Kyi to make her trip
because of its ''constructive engagement policy'' toward Myanmar. 

''Since Myanmar became an ASEAN member, it has had to take its image into
account,'' the diplomat said. ''Myanmar can no longer ignore ASEAN's
political suggestions when it is trying to open itself to the international
community and boost investment in the country.'' 

Several ASEAN ministers have visited Myanmar and had talks with junta
officials since the country was admitted to the regional group. 

Philippine Foreign Minister Domingo Siazon last week met with Suu Kyi while
accompanying President Fidel Ramos on an official visit to Myanmar. 

Suu Kyi's NLD won a landslide electoral victory in 1990, but the junta, which
calls itself the State Law and Order Restoration Council, subsequently
refused to honor the results by transferring power. 

AP-NY-10-24-97 0730EDT