VOA-BURMA / STUDENTS

[hlaing@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

DATE=8/15/98

BURMA / STUDENTS 
GARY THOMAS
BANGKOK
 

INTRO:  A GROUP OF 18 FOREIGN ACTIVISTS WAS DEPORTED FROM BURMA 
SATURDAY, AFTER NARROWLY AVOIDING A LENGTHY PRISON TERM FOR 
PASSING OUT PRO-DEMOCRACY LEAFLETS.  MEANWHILE, BURMESE DEMOCRACY
LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI AND THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT CONTINUED 
THEIR STANDOFF ON A ROAD OUTSIDE RANGOON, FOR THE FOURTH DAY.  
V-O-A CORRESPONDENT GARY THOMAS REPORTS FROM BANGKOK.

TEXT:  THE GROUP OF ACTIVISTS WAS MET BY A CROWD OF JUBILANT 
RELATIVES AND SUPPORTERS WHEN THEY ARRIVED AT BANGKOK'S DON MUANG
AIRPORT SATURDAY.

THE ACTIVISTS -- FROM THE UNITED STATES, THE PHILIPPINES, 
THAILAND,  MALAYSIA, INDONESIA, AND AUSTRALIA -- WERE TRIED 
FRIDAY AND SENTENCED  TO FIVE YEARS AT HARD LABOR FOR PASSING OUT
DEMOCRACY LEAFLETS IN RANGOON.  HOWEVER, THE BURMESE GOVERNMENT 
IMMEDIATELY COMMUTED THE SENTENCES IN FAVOR OF DEPORTATION.

THE AMERICANS IN THE GROUP SAID THEY WERE WELL TREATED WHILE IN  
CUSTODY -- LIKE "KINGS AND QUEENS" ACCORDING TO ONE OF THEM.  BUT
THE THAIS IN THE GROUP SAID THEY DID NOT RECEIVE SUCH REGAL 
TREATMENT.

MEANWHILE, PRO-DEMOCRACY LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S ROADSIDE 
PROTEST ENTERED ITS FOURTH DAY.  AUTHORITIES HAVE STOPPED HER 
OUTSIDE RANGOON FROM TRAVELLING TO SEE LOCAL PARTY LEADERS AND 
SHE REFUSES TO TURN BACK.  IT IS THE SECOND SUCH STANDOFF IN THE 
PAST THREE WEEKS. (SIGNED)