AFP-Myanmar opposition says to conv (r)

[tinkyi@xxxxxxx]

Myanmar opposition says to convene parliament in September

       Mon 31 Aug 98 - 11:47 GMT

       YANGON, Aug 31 (AFP) - Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has
pledged to convene parliament
       within weeks despite warnings from the junta that such a move would
be illegal, opposition sources said Monday.

       The Nobel peace laureate had told supporters the parliament elected
in 1990 but never allowed to sit could be
       convened as soon as next week, they added.

       One source said September 7 was one option or it might be the third
week of September.

       Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) earlier
demanded that the junta convene parliament by
       August 21 or face unspecified consequences. When the junta ignored
the demand the NLD said it would act
       unilaterally.

       The NLD-led opposition won the 1990 polls by a landslide but the
junta has refused to relinquish power.

       Aung San Suu Kyi made the pledge to some 500 supporters who gathered
at her compound Saturday, the sources
       said.

       It was her first public appearance since she returned to the capital
on Monday last week after ending a 13-day
       roadside stand-off with officials.

       Authorities had blocked her from travelling to meet supporters
outside the capital.


)AFP 1998