AFP : NLD tells supporters not to c

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NLD tells supporters not to confront Myanmar junta on crackdown anniversary

Sat 08 Aug 98 - 06:56 GMT 

YANGON, Aug 8 (AFP) - Myanmar's leading opposition party has told
supporters not to seek confrontation with country's junta during the bitter
10th anniversary Saturday of a military crackdown on pro-democracy
demonstrators which left thousands dead, a diplomatic source said.

The order was intended to avoid violence between junta forces and the
National League for Democracy (NLD) followers.

"They said they were not to seek confrontation with the government," the
diplomat said.

Political tensions have escalated in Myanmar in recent weeks in the lead-up
to Saturday's anniversary and ahead of an August 21 deadline set by the NLD
for the junta to convene parliament or face unspecified consequences.

The NLD-led opposition won 1990 polls by a landslide but the junta has
refused to relinquish power.

There had been fears of unrest during the anniversary, but Yangon was quiet
and calm Saturday.

Foreign diplomats said there could be sporadic demonstrations or other
expressions of dissent but did not expect any major incidents.