VOA : BURMA / STAND-OFF - RON CORBE

[hlaing@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Voice of America
DATE=7/28/98
BURMA / STAND-OFF 
RON CORBEN (BANGKOK)


INTRO:  THERE ARE FRESH CONCERNS ABOUT THE STATE OF HEALTH OF 
BURMA'S OPPOSITION LEADER, AUNG SAN SUU KYI, AS HER STAND-OFF 
WITH AUTHORITIES CONTINUES INTO A FIFTH DAY OUTSIDE RANGOON.  RON
CORBEN REPORTS FROM BANGKOK, AUNG SAN SUU KYI IS SAID TO BE 
TAKING ONLY WATER, WHILE STILL REFUSING TO TALK TO BURMESE 
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

TEXT:  THERE ARE NOW INCREASING CONCERNS OVER THE WELFARE OF 
BURMA'S OPPOSITION LEADER, AUNG SAN SUU KYI, IN HER STAND-OFF 
WITH BURMA'S MILITARY GOVERNMENT, ON A ROAD SOUTHWEST OF RANGOON.

AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY AUTHORITIES FRIDAY,  
PREVENTING HER FROM MEETING WITH PARTY MEMBERS.  DIPLOMATS SAY 
THE OPPOSITION LEADER, NOW OUTSIDE THE CAR, IS TAKING ONLY 
LIQUIDS, HAVING EXHAUSTED A SMALL AMOUNT OF FOOD THE VEHICLE HAD 
BEEN CARRYING AT THE OUTSET OF THE JOURNEY.

THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT HAS DISPATCHED A MEDICAL TEAM ALONG WITH 
HER OWN DOCTOR TO THE SCENE, SOME 40 KILOMETERS FROM RANGOON.

EARLIER, IN MANILA, U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT 
EXPRESSED HER GRAVE CONCERNS OVER THE STATE OF AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S
HEALTH.

MS. ALBRIGHT WARNED OIF A DANGEROUS STATE OF TENSION IN BURMA, 
AND SAID THE UNITED STATES DEPLORES THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT'S 
REFUSAL TO LET THE LEADER OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY 
TRAVEL FREELY INSIDE THE COUNTRY.  

AUNG SAN SUU KYI HAD BEEN ATTEMPTING TO VISIT PARTY MEMBERS WEST 
OF RANGOON WHEN SHE WAS STOPPED BY AUTHORITIES.   HER CAR IS NOW 
SURROUNDED BY SOLDIERS AND BARBED WIRE.  THIS IS THE THIRD TIME 
THIS MONTH SHE HAS BEEN PREVENTED FROM TRAVELING TO MEET WITH 
FELLOW PARTY MEMBERS.  SIMILAR STAND-OFFS EARLIER ENDED WITH 
AUTHORITIES BRINGING THE PARTY MEMBERS TO SEE HER.

IN RANGOON, THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT HIT BACK AT SECRETARY 
ALBRIGHT'S CRITICISM, ACCUSING THE UNITED STATES OF CARRYING OUT 
A WITCH HUNT AGAINST BURMA, ACTING AS JUDGE, JURY AND 
EXECUTIONER.   (SIGNED)

NEB/RC/FC/WTW

28-Jul-98 4:22 AM EDT (0822 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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