AFP-Aung San Suu Kyi begins second

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Aung San Suu Kyi begins second week of stand-off with junta
Wed 19 Aug 98 - 05:17 GMT 

YANGON, Aug 19 (AFP) - Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi Wednesday
began the second week of a roadside standoff with the junta but diplomats
expected her to return to the capital within the next two days.

"She's still there but I think she will leave by August 21," said one
western diplomat, referring to a deadline set by the Nobel peace laureate
for the junta to convene parliament or face unspecificed consequences.

The National League for Democracy (NLD) leader, a party official and two
drivers have remaned on a small bridge 25 kilometres (15 miles) from Yangon
since she was blocked from travelling to meet provincial supporters last
Wednesday.

It was her fourth such failed bid to visit provincial supporters in little
over a month. 

The junta has played down the stand-off as a "camping" expedition and has
repeatedly said it is doing all it can to ensure her welfare. The NLD held
the junta responsible for Aung San Suu Kyi reportedly feeling ill following
the last such confrontation, which ended after six days on July 29 when she
was forcibly driven back to Yangon.

Officials have said she has been provided with food, a mobile bathroom and
even "a beach umbrella" and "garden chairs."