Myanmar junta says Aung San Suu Kyi

[hlaing@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Myanmar junta says Aung San Suu Kyi enjoying fruit, ablutions in stand-off
Mon 17 Aug 98 - 11:46 GMT 

YANGON, Aug 17 (AFP) - Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi began the
sixth day of a roadside standoff with the country's junta Monday by
enjoying fruit sent by officials and using a mobile bathroom delivered
specially for her, the military rulers said in a statement.

Her two drivers and an official from her National League for Democracy
(NLD) opposition party, Hla Pe, were also being well catered for, it added.



The junta has played down the stand-off, the fourth time in little over a
month that it has blocked Aung San Suu Kyi from visiting supporters outside
Yangon.



Her minivan is constantly referred to as a "camping vehicle" by officials,
who add that she is taking a "rest...near Anyarsu, a small but picturesque
village."



Since being blocked by officials last Wednesday the group has been moved to
a small bridge linking a highway to adjacent rice paddies about 25
kilometres (15 miles) from Yangon.



"U (honorific) Hla Pe and the two chauffeurs are enjoying, having the
famous Anyarsu noodles and tea every morning at the Anyarsu Ayarwaddy
Riverside Restaurant, which is about a minute walking distance from their
camp-site," the latest statement added.



"Government officials provide Ms. Suu Kyi with some fresh fruits for her
breakfast, and other bathroom amenities for use in the new mobile bathroom
set up yesterday morning near her camping vehicle to ensure her maximum
comfort and welfare."



The junta has been at pains to stress it was doing everything possible for
Aung San Suu Kyi's welfare after the opposition accused it of damaging her
health in a similar stand-off which ended July 29 when she was forcibly
driven back to Yangon.



The junta has said it has supplied cassettes including religious songs and
recordings by Madonna and Michael Jackson to her, as well as an ambulance
in case of an emergency. A "beach umbrella" and "garden chairs" had also
been provided, along with "cakes, cookies and soft drinks."



The latest stand-off comes days before an August 21 set by Aung San Suu Kyi
for the junta to convene parliament or face unspecified consequences.



The NLD won 1990 elections by a landslide but the junta has refused to give
up power.