VOA-BURMA / POL -RON CORBEN-BANGKOK

[hlaing@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

DATE=8/25/98
BURMA / POL -RON CORBEN-BANGKOK
 
INTRO:  BURMA'S MILITARY GOVERNMENT HAS MOVED TO RE-EXERT ITS 
CONTROL IN RANGOON (TUESDAY), ONE DAY AFTER STUDENTS STAGED 
DEMONSTRATIONS DENOUNCING THE REGIME.  RON CORBEN REPORTS FROM BANGKOK, A
HEIGHTENED MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE CAPITAL HAS ADDED TO TENSIONS, AFTER
OPPOSITION LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI RETURN TO HER HOME FOLLOWING A STAND-OFF
WITH AUTHORITIES LASTING ALMOST TWO WEEKS.

TEXT:  A DAY AFTER BURMESE STUDENTS STAGED TWO DEMONSTRATIONS IN DEFIANCE
OF BURMA'S MILITARY GOVERNMENT, THE AUTHORITIES STEPPED UP SECURITY IN
RANGOON.  

ON MONDAY STUDENTS STAGED THE FIRST PROTESTS IN TWO YEARS.  
DENOUNCING THE GOVERNMENT, THEY DREW A SYMPATHETIC RESPONSE FROM ON-LOOKERS
-- BEFORE MILITARY AND POLICE ARRIVED, AND THE 
DEMONSTRATORS DISPERSED.

REPORTS SAY AT LEAST TWO TRUCKLOADS OF STUDENTS WERE DETAINED.  
THEY COULD FACE LENGTHY JAIL SENTENCES UNDER BURMA'S HARSH LAWS.

DIPLOMATS SAID THE INCREASED MILITARY PRESENCE FOLLOWING THE 
PROTESTS IS A CLEAR SIGN THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT IS BACK IN 
CONTROL -- WITH A SHOW OF FORCE MEANT TO DISCOURAGE FURTHER 
PROTESTS.

POLITICAL SENSITIVITIES IN BURMA HAVE BEEN HEIGHTENED SINCE THE 
RECENT ANNIVERSARY OF A BRUTAL CRACKDOWN ON PROTESTS 10 YEARS 
AGO.

WESTERN OBSERVERS SAY THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT IS FACING 
INCREASING PRESSURE, DUE TO BURMA'S  DETERIORATING ECONOMY.  
THERE ARE REPORTS CURRENCY TRADERS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOLLOWING A FURTHER
PLUNGE OF THE BURMESE CURRENCY, THE KAYT,  ON LOCAL MARKETS.

THE RETURN TO RANGOON MONDAY OF AUNG SAN SUU KYI ENDED AN ALMOST TWO-WEEK
STAND-OFF ON A ROAD OUTSIDE RANGOON, WHERE BURMESE AUTHORITIES BLOCKED HER
FOURTH ATTEMPT IN RECENT WEEKS TO MEET OPPOSITION PARTY MEMBERS AWAY FROM
THE CAPITAL. 

AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S FAILING HEALTH HAS RAISED CONCERNS WITHIN THE 
OPPOSITION NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY, THE N-L-D.  SHE IS NOW 
AT HER COMPOUND, RECOVERING FROM KIDNEY AND URINARY TRACT 
PROBLEMS CAUSED BY HER ORDEAL. 

THE HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER, COLONEL TIN HLAING, IS SAID TO HAVE 
WARNED SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE N-L-D TO AVOID ANY ACTIVITIES THAT 
COULD UNDERMINE PEACE AND STABILITY IN BURMA.

BURMA'S STATE-RUN PRESS SAYS THE N-L-D WAS WARNED THAT ITS 
MEMBERS FACE UP TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON IF THEY VIOLATE THE 
COUNTRY'S CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS.  THE GOVERNMENT ALSO SAYS IT COULD DECLARE
THE OPPOSITION PARTY ILLEGAL.

THE N-L-D THREATENED LAST WEEK TO CALL FOR THE CONVENING OF A 
PEOPLE'S PARLIAMENT, AFTER THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT IGNORED ITS 
DEMAND TO ALLOW THE CONVENING OF THE PARLIAMENT ELECTED IN 1990. 
THE OPPOSITION WON A LANDSLIDE IN THOSE ELECTIONS,  BUT THE 
GOVERNMENT IGNORED THE RESULTS AND BARRED THOSE ELECTED FROM 
TAKING OFFICE.   (SIGNED)

NEB/RC/GC/FC/WTW

25-Aug-98 6:54 AM EDT (1054 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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