Bangkok Post News (5199)

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Suu Kyi gives rice to poor as junta dubs her 'traitor'

Offensive means flood of refugees -Bo Mya
In a symbolic criticism of how decades of military rule have beggared
Burma, the opposition party led by Aung San Suu Kyi gave rice to the poor
yesterday as the country celebrated the 51st anniversary of independence
from Britain.
The ruling State Peace and Development Council meanwhile marked
Independence Day by denouncing Mrs Suu Kyi and her National League for
Democracy as traitors acting on behalf of foreign powers.
SPDC Chairman Gen Than Shwe, in a statement read by Rangoon's garrison
commander at an official flag-raising ceremony, declared that Burma's
citizens were united "against the destructive threats of ax-handles and
neo-colonialists abroad".
"Ax-handle" means traitor and is often used against Mrs Suu Kyi.
The NLD leader, whose travel and activities are tightly restricted, was
planning only a simple ceremony at her home this year, largely due to the
pressure her party is under.
Outside, supporters distributed about five kilogrammes of high-quality rice
to some 60 children and poor women, something the party has regularly done
of late.
Meanwhile, the leader of ethnic Karen rebels targeted in a new dry-season
offensive by Burmese government troops claimed yesterday that civilians
were being systematically raped and murdered.
Gen Bo Mya predicted that a flood of Karen refugees would cross the border
into Thailand in coming few days.
Burma's military government has long been accused by refugees and
human-rights groups of systematic rape, forced evictions from villages and
killing civilians.
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