Burma's Genral Critizes Suu Kyi

[RANGOONP@xxxxxxx]

Burma General Criticizes Suu Kyi

 .c The Associated Press  

RANGOON, Burma (AP) - A top general in Burma's military government has accused
the opposition led by Aung San Suu Kyi of unfairly criticizing the educational
system, government newspapers reported today. 

Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt cited recent prizes won by Burmese students for essays and
posters at Association of Southeast Asian Nations competitions as proof the
opposition was wrong. 

Speaking at Friday's closing ceremony of a refresher course for 1,500 teachers
near Rangoon, Khin Nyunt said ``internal ax-handles, when meeting foreign
visitors, tried to discredit the country'' by belittling the education system,
the reports said. 

The term ``ax handle'' refers to Burmese the government contends are working
in collusion with foreign powers - the ax - to cut down Burma's independence
and national development. 

Khin Nyunt, the powerful head of military intelligence, urged teachers to
safeguard the minds of students against the opposition. 

Though Suu Kyi was not mentioned by name, Khin Nyunt was apparently referring
to her three-hour meeting Thursday with U.N. envoy Alvaro de Soto during his
mission to try to facilitate a dialogue between Suu Kyi and the regime. 

Suu Kyi has often attacked the quality of education and said the military
government does not pay enough attention to it. 

In addition to lack of resources, high schools and universities have been shut
down for long periods during the past 10 years to quell anti-government
unrest.