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NEWS-Myanmar Says Comments on Tensi
NOTE: They mention using restraint. Is that meaning to say that they
don't murder as many people as they did ??
Myanmar Says Comments on Tensions Regrettable
Reuters
08-JUL-98
BANGKOK, July 8 (Reuters) - Myanmar
criticised foreign governments on
Wednesday for comments over rising tension
between the ruling junta and its
pro-democracy opposition.
``Recent statements made by certain
responsible ministers regarding their concern
on the presupposed situation in Union of
Myanmar are found to be presumptuous,''
said a statement released by Myanmar's
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Thailand's foreign ministry said earlier on
Wednesday it was concerned by
developments in Myanmar and called for
restraint between the military junta and the
opposition National League for Democracy
(NLD).
The United States condemned the
government's refusal to allow opposition
leader Aung San Suu Kyi to visit her party
members.
``The authorities in Myanmar have been
exercising utmost restraint in dealing with the
aggressive and confrontational attitude of
certain elements,'' the Myanmar statement
said.
Myanmar said Thailand's comments could
potentially affect relations between the two
countries and were against the spirit of the
regional grouping, the Association of South
East Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which both
countries are members.
``It is regrettable that presumptuous
observation and remarks made on isolated
and wrong information could lead to
misunderstanding and a misconception not
only in bilateral relations but also
intra-ASEAN,'' the Myanmar statement said.
Thailand earlier said it wished to see an
easing of tension in Myanmar as it feared the
problem could escalate.
The Thai foreign ministry spokesman said
any instability or unrest in Myanmar could
lead to problems along the common border
between the two countries.
As a result of any unrest, there could be a
spill-over of refugees, border trade might be
hampered and drug suppression activities at
the border areas might be affected, he said.
``We are concerned about the developments
there. We urge restraint by all sides to avoid
violent confrontation between the opposing
forces,'' Thai foreign ministry spokesman
Kobsak Chutikul told Reuters.
``We, as fellow ASEAN member countries,
feel that any new instability in the region
could affect efforts to achieve regional
economic rehabilitation,'' he said.
Political tension between the ruling military
State Peace and Development Council
(SPDC) and opposition National League for
Democracy (NLD) party led by Aung San
Suu Kyi has been building up since late
May.
Suu Kyi demanded in May that the junta
convene a parliament of elected
representatives from a May 1990 election,
which the NLD won but was ignored by the
ruling military. The SPDC rejected the idea.
Since then the SPDC has placed NLD
elected representatives under surveillance.
On Tuesday, the military prevented Suu Kyi
and senior party officials from travelling to a
northern township to meet some NLD
elected party representatives.