VOA : ANOTHER STANDOFF

[hlaing@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

DATE=7/20/98
GARY THOMAS (BANGKOK)


INTRO:  ANOTHER STANDOFF BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE 
PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT IS TAKING PLACE IN BURMA.  FOR THE SECOND 
TIME THIS MONTH, AUTHORITIES STOPPED PRO-DEMOCRACY LEADER AUNG 
SAN SUU KYI FROM MEETING WITH LOCAL LEADERS OF HER PARTY OUTSIDE 
THE CAPITAL.  AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT GARY THOMAS REPORTS FROM OUR
SOUTHEAST ASIA BUREAU, THE GOVERNMENT ACCUSES THE DEMOCRACY 
LEADER OF TRYING TO DELIBERATELY PROVOKE A CONFRONTATION.

TEXT:  ACCORDING TO A GOVERNMENT STATEMENT, AUNG SAN SUU KYI AND 
MEMBERS OF HER PARTY WERE STOPPED 32 KILOMETERS FROM THE CAPITAL 
BY LOCAL POLICE, WHO NOTICED THE ABSENCE OF HER USUAL 
ACCOMPANIMENT OF GOVERNMENT SECURITY AGENTS.  THE GOVERNMENT SAYS
SHE WAS ENROUTE TO PANTANAW TOWNSHIP, 80 KILOMETERS FROM THE 
CAPITAL, TO MEET WITH A LOCAL OFFICIAL OF HER NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR
DEMOCRACY, THE N-L-D.

RANGOON-BASED WESTERN DIPLOMATS SAY WHEN AUNG SAN SUU KYI REFUSED
TO TURN BACK, AUTHORITIES PUT UP BARRICADES TO PREVENT HER FROM 
PROCEEDING FURTHER.

A SIMILAR CONFRONTATION OCCURRED JULY SEVENTH, WHEN SHE WAS ALSO 
TRYING TO MEET WITH A LOCAL PARTY LEADER OUTSIDE RANGOON.  THEN, 
TOO, SHE REFUSED TO TURN BACK.  THE STANDOFF LASTED FOR NEARLY 24
HOURS, ENDING ONLY WHEN AUTHORITIES BROUGHT THE PARTY OFFICIAL TO
HER.

IN RECENT WEEKS,THE GOVERNMENT HAS IMPOSED NEW RESTRICTIONS ON 
N-L-D POLITICIANS, ORDERING THEM TO REMAIN IN THEIR TOWNSHIPS AND
TO REPORT IN TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES TWICE A DAY.  ANALYSTS SAY THE 
GOVERNMENT FEARS SOME KIND OF EXPLOSION ON AUGUST EIGHTH, THE 
10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PRO-DEMOCRACY UPRISING THAT WAS 
RUTHLESSLY CRUSHED BY THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT.

THE N-L-D IS ALSO DEMANDING THAT THE PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN 1990 
BE CONVENED BY AUGUST 21ST.  THE RESULTS OF THE 1990 ELECTIONS 
WERE THROWN OUT BY THE GOVERNMENT, AFTER THE N-L-D WON A 
LANDSLIDE VICTORY.

IN ITS STATEMENT, THE GOVERNMENT ACCUSES AUNG SAN SUU KYI OF 
ADOPTING A CONFRONTATIONAL STANCE.  IT SAYS SOME COUNTRIES AND 
FOREIGN MEDIA ARE TRYING TO PORTRAY BURMA AS AN UNSTABLE COUNTRY 
ON THE BRINK OF CIVIL UNREST AND ETHNIC REBELLION.

                        /// REST OPT /// 

THE GOVERNMENT ALSO ACCUSES THE N-L-D OF WORKING IN CONCERT WITH 
FOREIGN NEWS AGENCIES TO FAN RUMORS AND BLOW MINOR INCIDENTS OUT 
OF PROPORTION.  IT SAYS THE N-L-D AND LIKE-MINDED EXILE GROUPS 
WILL CONTINUE TO BOMBARD THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WITH WHAT IT
CALLS "POLITICAL PREDICTIONS, HALLUCINATIONS, FABRICATIONS, AND 
RUMORS."   (SIGNED)

NEB/GPT/FC/WTW

20-Jul-98 6:26 AM EDT (1026 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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