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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.