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Bangkok Post News (8/9/98)



110 arrests 'bid to block parliament'


<italic>50 MPs among those nabbed, says NLD

</italic>

Burma's main opposition party said yesterday the military government had
detained 110 of its members in the past two days - a move to thwart its
plan to convene a "People's Parliament" this month.

The National League for Democracy (NLD) said those detained included 50
members who won seats in Burma's  last general election eight years ago -
a poll the party won by a landslide only to see the military ignore the
result.

A spokesman for the government confirmed NLD members had been detained
but gave no figures. He said the action was to prevent the party calling
parliament, something that "would not be permitted by any government in
the world.

"I don't know how many (have been detained) but what is happening is that
the government is taking appropriate action to maintain and safeguard
national security," he said.

"Most of them have been called in for questioning," he said. " They have
stated they are going to hold a national parliament and the government is
trying to take this action to maintain safeguards."

He said NLD action would have derailed national reconciliation efforts as
well as stability and peace.

"In order to avoid that from happening the government will take
appropriate action if they convene parliament," he said when asked what
would happen to NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other top party officials
if they stuck to their vow.

A statement from the NLD's central executive committee said those
detained also included eight state and divisional organisers, 25 township
organisers, 24 youth members and three women's committee members.

Diplomats in Burma said the detentions would mean that the NLD would not
be able to gather more than a handful of elected members if it tried to
go ahead with its plan.


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