BBC : Pressure for change in Burma

[hlaing@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Thursday, July 30, 1998 Published at 22:10 GMT 23:10 UK 

World: Asia-Pacific

Pressure for change in Burma 

The United States has stepped up pressure on Burma, accusing the
authorities of a callous disregard for human rights in their treatment of
the pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. 

The United Kingdom has also warned of a worsening situation in Burma, and
pledged its support for democratic change. 

US State Department spokesman, James Rubin, said Ms Suu Kyi had been
manhandled as the authorities forced her back to her home in Rangoon, six
days after stopping her at a roadblock as she attempted to leave the
capital. 

Mr Rubin called on Burma's military leaders to open a dialogue with her
party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). 

Aung San Suu Kyi herself has said she will continue to leave her home for
meetings with supporters, in defiance of the military government. 


After being stopped at the roadblock, she refused to move for six days
until taken home by soldiers. 

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

An opposition spokesman said Ms Suu Kyi was exhausted, but intended to
leave again as soon as she was well. 

The Burmese military government said her action was a publicity stunt, but
also said it had ended the protest for reasons of Ms Suu Kyi's own health. 

UK urges dialogue 

The UK Government has summoned the Burmese ambassador to London to condemn
what it calls the regime's interference in Aung San Suu Kyi's freedom of
movement, and urged immediate dialogue between the military and the
opposition. 

A protester outside the Burmese embassy in Thailand honours Ms Suu
KyiForeign Secretary Robin Cook said: "I want to make clear that the
Burmese regime's interference in Aung San Suu Kyi's freedom of movement and
association is unacceptable. 

"It is high time the regime recognised the need to open an immediate
dialogue with the NLD." 

Foreign office minister Derek Fatchett warned that the situation in Burma
could deteriorate in the coming weeks. 

"We will certainly not move away from our support for the democratic forces
and for the democrats within Burma," Mr Fatchett said. 

The American Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, earlier said the way
in which the protest had been ended was an unacceptable violation of Aung
San Suu Kyi's human rights. 

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

Barred from diplomatic contact 

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

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

Although the Burmese military authorities say there is no formal
restriction on Aung San Suu Kyi, this week's incident at the roadblock 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.