SCMP : 'Riot squads prepare for ann (r)

[enmasse_1@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Re: SCMP: 'Riot squads prepare for anniversary'
===============================================

There is no doubt that SPDC is certainly preparing to use force and 
crush the peoples' will to return to democratic rule in Burma in the 
same manner that BSPP reacted to the peoples'demand for democracy in 
August 1988.

We are absolutely aware that the SPDC has become more daring and 
supressive as ever towards the opposition in Burma after it was allowed 
to join the ASEAN in July 1997. Now, it is going ahead with a plan to 
use excessive force on the opposition and its own people to create a 
nationwide anarchy systematically. 
  
We anticipated how Indonesia, Malaysia and at least one or more 
countries will react on the issue. So, there is no need for the ASEAN to 
be divided over the issue of Burma .Whether we like it not not, ASEAN 
members (except Thailand and Philippnes) should be prepared to take the 
blame when the "shit hits the fan", knowing its a moral thing to stop 
the SPDC from killing its own populace. 

The bottom line is, if people can send the strong man Ne Win into 
retirement on 23 July 1998, the existence SPDC after August 1998 will 
come to a naught when people have no choice but to show support 
explicitly to the NLD demand to allow the parlaiment to be convened.
 
Is there any hope to see a peaceful settlement between the SPDC and the 
NLD?      

Minn Kyaw Minn
==============


  

 


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>Date: 17 Jul 1998 16:07:39
>Reply-To: Conference "reg.burma" <burmanet-l@xxxxxxxxxxx>
>From: hlaing@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: SCMP : 'Riot squads prepare for anniversary'
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>South China Morning Post
>
>Saturday=A0=A0July 18=A0=A01998
>'Riot squads prepare for anniversary'=20
>
>WILLIAM BARNES in Bangkok=20
>The opposition said yesterday the junta was creating riot squads to 
deal
>with any possible uprising during next month's 10th anniversary of mass
>protests against military rule.
>
>The special 30-strong units were being formed in all major towns and
>district police officers had been called to Rangoon to be briefed on 
how =
>to
>crush demonstrations, the All Burma Students Democratic Front said
>yesterday.
>
>The regime had also organised three-week refresher courses in handling
>small arms for all police and riot squad officers, the statement added.
>
>With the economy in deep trouble and no visible prospect of any easing 
of
>the military's iron rule, the generals are obviously taking no chances 
th=
>at
>the anniversary will release pent-up frustrations.
>
>The army is thought to have massacred hundreds of people at the height 
th=
>e
>protests a decade ago when millions of Burmese took to the streets on
>August 8, 1988, a day that has become branded on the nation's 
collective
>memory.
>
>Amnesty International called on Thursday for the release of elderly and
>sick prisoners of conscience, improved prison conditions and an end 
force=
>d
>labour to "defuse possibilities for conflict" ahead of the anniversary.
>
>The London-based human rights group said it was deeply concerned that 
the
>recent wave of political arrests and harassment had heightened tension
>before a day of symbolic significance.
>
>The National League for Democracy (NLD) said earlier this week that as 
ma=
>ny
>as 80 of its members who won seats in the disbanded parliament had been
>detained after refusing to sign pledges that restrict their travel.
>
>Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party has deeply irritated the 
regim=
>e
>by calling last month for parliament to be reconvened in August along 
the
>lines of the 1990 general election when it trounced the military's 
party.
>
>The junta, which ignored that election, said on Wednesday that Ms Aung 
Sa=
>n
>Suu Kyi did not deserve her 1991 Nobel Peace Prize and that she is "no
>Nelson Mandela".
>
>"One is a disgruntled housewife turned politician who desperately seeks 
t=
>o
>be popular . . . the other is a self-effacing nationalist who has 
devoted
>his entire life to free his people from the shackles of apartheid," 
said =
>a
>letter aimed at rebutting a Washington Post editorial that praised Ms 
Aun=
>g
>San Suu Kyi's courage.
>
>NLD vice-chairman Tin Oo said the Burmese Supreme Court had thrown out 
a
>petition by the party seeking the lifting of restrictions that require 
it=
>s
>MPs to report twice a day to their local police station.
>
>"This [law used against the MPs] was assigned for criminals and thieves 
a=
>nd
>it is not appropriate to apply it on dignified MPs elected to represent 
t=
>he
>people," Mr Tin Oo said.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>


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