Mainichi :Tensions rising in power

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13 July , 1998
Tensions rising in power struggle between NLD, junta 

Opposition party setting up shadow Cabinet amid Burmese govt crackdown 

By Shinichiro Hori 
Mainichi Correspondent 

BANGKOK  Trouble appears to be brewing in Burma. In a move bound to
irritate the ruling military, the National League for Democracy (NLD) has
begun setting up a shadow Cabinet to prepare for a future transfer of power
from the present junta. 

At the end of last month, the biggest opposition party, led by Aung San Suu
Kyi, called on the ruling Peace and Development Council (PDC) to convene a
Parliament postponed since elections in 1990. 

Although the National League for Democracy has been demanding a national
assembly since the military seized power, this time they have set a date 
Aug. 21  for the opening of the Parliament. In a predictable response, the
military has begun a crackdown since the NLD issued its demand, detaining
more than 50 NLD parliamentarians, according to the All Burma Students
Democratic Front, and banning others living in rural areas from traveling
outside their local regions. 

The military government, formerly known as the State Law and Order Council,
also prevented Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders of the National League
for Democracy from visiting the suburbs of the capital, Rangoon, on July 7.


Until now, the PDC has tried to weaken the NLD's organization by arresting
its leaders and supporters for minor offenses. 

However, there are some glimmers of hope. Since July last year, the first
secretary of the PDC, Khyn Nyunt, has held unofficial talks with the top
leader of the NLD. 



These tentative steps toward an accommodation between the two sides could
be in danger after the NLD latest move. 

The flash point is likely to be a demonstration organized by the NLD to
commemorate the anniversary of the death in 1947 of Aung San Suu Kyi's
father, Gen. Aung San, who led the nation to independence. 

The NLD also plans a nationwide demonstration on Aug. 8 to call for the
transfer of power to Aung San Suu Kyi's party. 

Events in Indonesia and the Asian currency crisis have also affected both
sides. 

The fate of Indonesia former President Suharto, who stepped down in May
after massive public protests, has emboldened the NLD to demand a transfer
of power based on the results of the 1990 elections. 

But Burma's generals, who modeled their administration on that of Suharto
and his Golkar Party, have retreated back into their old, repressive ways
as a result of Suharto demise, diplomatic sources said. 

Could Burma follow IndonesiaÕs example? 

The situation is certainly volatile. Since last year, the value of Burma
currency has halved and the cost of living has skyrocketed. 

Even the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is pressuring the Burmese
authorities to change, with a high-level official in ThailandÕs Foreign
Ministry recently warning Burma that political instability retards economic
development. 

The NLD won 392 seats out of a possible 485 eight years ago, but the
military, which took power in 1988, ignored the results.