BBC : Suu Kyi forced to end protest

[hlaing@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Thursday, July 30, 1998 Published at 09:24 GMT 10:24 UK 

World: Asia-Pacific

Suu Kyi forced to end protest 

The Burmese pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has been forced by the
military authorities to end a six-day sit-in protest in a car on the
outskirts of the capital, Rangoon. 

She had been protesting about what she said was the government's refusal to
allow her to visit her supporters. 

The move brought a protest from the American Secretary of State Madeleine
Albright. 

But the Burmese authorities said they had intervened because of concerns
about Ms Suu Kyi's health. 

She may not like what we did to her, but now she will be grateful for this
in the future," a spokesman said. 

The authorities had said earlier the opposition leader voluntarily returned
home. 

But now government sources say she was taken back to Rangoon because she
had ignored "gentle persuasion". 

Two women soldiers got into Ms Suu Kyi's car and drove her back home. 

The Nobel Peace Prize winner is reported to be suffering from dehydration
and fever, after spending six days in her car. 

Pledge to continue fight 

In a news conference held by officials of her party - the National League
for Democracy (NLD) - she was quoted as saying "I am as strong as ever". 

NLD officials said she was "furious" and had pledged to continue defying
the regime. The party is considering legal action against the authorities. 

"She accused the military authorities of forcibly abducting her, hijacking
her car and using physical force," NLD officials said. 

US condemns regime 

Madeleine Albright called for talksThe American Secretary of State,
Madeleine Albright, said the way the protest had been ended was an
unacceptable violation of Aung San Suu Kyi's human rights. 

She had earlier called on the Burmese authorities to open talks with the
opposition. 

Despite international concern about Ms Suu Kyi's health, the Burmese
authorities had earlier rejected requests from foreign diplomats to visit
her. 

an unacceptable violation "The Burmese Foreign Minister, Onh Gyaw, said he
did not feel that a meeting was needed at the moment. 

The Burmese authorities had dismissed her protest as a publicity stunt. 

Although the Burmese military authorities say there is no formal
restriction on Aung San Suu Kyi, it was the third time she had been stopped
while trying to visit party workers outside Rangoon. 

Tension has risen between the military and the NLD since Ms Suu Kyi called
for a meeting of a parliament in August consisting of candidates elected in
the May 1990 elections. 

The NLD won the elections but the military ignored the results and has
refused to convene parliament.