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Myanmar opposition leader's health



Myanmar opposition leader's health in decline

       Thu 20 Aug 98 - 11:37 GMT 

       YANGON, Aug 20 (AFP) - Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's
health is in decline as her food and
       water supplies dwindle on the ninth day of her roadside confrontation
with the country's junta, aides said Thursday.

       Officials from the Nobel prizewinner's National League for
Democracysaid her health was deteriorating from a lack
       of proper nourishment even though the junta claims to have supplied her
with cakes and cookies.

       Aung San Suu Kyi has spent more than a week living in a minibus along
with two drivers and an NLD official near a
       small bridge outside Yangon after security forces blocked her from
visiting provincial party members.

       "Despite their deteriorating health conditions, the morale and mental
strength of the stranded group remains as strong
       as ever," the NLD executive committee said in a statement.

       The report came after Aung San Suu Kyi was examined by her personal
physician with the approval of the military
       authorities.

       The statement said the junta would be held "totally responsible" if the
NLD leader's health declined further.

       Government officials have said Aung San Suu Kyi was blocked because of
security concerns and fears for her safety
       in the provinces, stressing she is free to return to Yangon whenever
she likes.

       The ruling State Peace and Development Council has said it was doing
everything possible to ensure her comfort,
       including providing food, pop music cassettes, a beach umbrella and
outdoor furniture.

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

       The NLD has issued an ultimatum to the junta to convene the parliament
elected in 1990 by Friday, but it has not
       specified the consequences.

       The party won the election but the junta has refused to give up power
and placed severe restrictions on the activities
       of opposition party members.

       Diplomats in Yangon expect Aung San Suu Kyi to return to the capital by
Friday at the latest to prepare for the
       expiry of the deadline, which the junta is expected to ignore.

                                                                              
          ©AFP 1998
       

       

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