NLD MEMBERS FINED FOR SELLING FOOD

[lurie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Media Release - 06/99
January 19, 1999

                                    
            NLD MEMBERS FINED FOR SELLING FOOD TO RAISE FUNDS


On December 21, 1998 the Burmese military fined four officials of
the National League for Democracy (NLD) in central Burma for
raising party funds by selling the Indian food Biriani (Dan
Pauk). 

On December 17, the four - Myint Ngwe, Kyaw Zeya, Win Myint
Hlaing and Aung Soe Nyunt - the leaders of the NLD in Yenanchaung
in Magew Division, planned to raise funds by selling coupons for
Biriani. However, the four were summoned by the township Peace
and Development Council and warned to discontinue their
activities.

Despite the warning, the four officials went ahead with their
plan as they did not believe it would disturb the public or the
authorities. They cooked the food, a spicy meat and rice dish, at
a party member's house and sold it to party supporters.

On December 21, all four officials were detained and charged
under section 73 of the Municipal Act for defying the order of
the local authorities. Subsequently, the four were fined 5,000
Kyats each, and were ordered to serve sentences of three years
imprisonment if they did not pay.  The four paid the fines to
escape the prison terms.

All Burma Students' Democratic Front

For more information please contact 01-253 9082, 01-654 4984