VOA-BURMA / AUNG SAN SUU KYI

[tinkyi@xxxxxxx]

DATE=3/21/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246938
TITLE=BURMA / AUNG SAN SUU KYI / L-O
BYLINE=GERALDINE CARROLL
DATELINE=BANGKOK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

INTRO:  BURMA'S DEMOCRACY LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI IS FACING WHAT COULD BE
THE BIGGEST DILEMMA OF HER LIFE.  AS HER BRITISH
HUSBAND, MICHAEL ARIS, BATTLES CANCER,  SHE MUST CHOOSE WHETHER TO RISK
POSSIBLE EXPULSION FROM BURMA BY TRAVELLING TO HIS SIDE. GERALDINE CARROLL
REPORTS FROM BANGKOK.

TEXT:   THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT HAS STILL NOT DECIDED WHETHER TO GRANT MR
ARIS A VISA TO VISIT HIS WIFE IN BURMA.  BUT BURMESE OFFICIALS HAVE
ENCOURAGED AUNG SAN SUU KYI TO VISIT HIM IN  BRITAIN AND SAY MEDICAL
FACILITIES IN BURMA ARE INADEQUATE TO  COPE WITH MR. ARIS' ILLNESS.

THE SITUATION HAS PLACED AUNG SAN SUU KYI IN ONE OF HER TOUGHEST  POSITIONS
SINCE SHE EMERGED AS AN ICON OF DEMOCRACY IN BURMA, A  DECADE AGO.

SUPPORTERS OF THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER SAY SHE HAS ALWAYS BEEN CONSCIOUS
OF THE PERSONAL SACRIFICES REQUIRED BY HER POLITICAL ROLE.

SHE SAYS, BEFORE SHE MARRIED THE BRITISH ACADEMIC MICHAEL ARIS IN 1972, AUNG
SAN SUU KYI WARNED HIM SHE MIGHT BE NEEDED IN BURMA ONE DAY.

POLITICAL ANALYSTS SAY -- AS THE DAUGHTER OF BURMA'S MARTYRED  INDEPENDENCE
HERO -- AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S NAME POSSESSES SPECIAL  MAGNETISM TO OPPONENTS OF
THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT IN BURMA WHERE  HER FATHER, GENERAL AUNG SAN,  IS
STILL REVERED.

SHE HAS SEEN HER HUSBAND ON HIS INFREQUENT VISITS TO RANGOON  SINCE SHE
RETURNED TO BURMA IN 1988.  HOWEVER, THE CONFLICT  BETWEEN FAMILY DUTY AND
HER POLITICAL CAREER HAS BECOME MORE  ACUTE WITH HIS ILLNESS.

THE COUPLE HAS  TWO SONS WHO HAVE VISITED THEIR MOTHER IN
RANGOON.  MR. ARIS LAST VISITED HIS WIFE IN 1996.  HE HAS BEEN
REFUSED A VISA ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.

THE BANGKOK-BASED ALL BURMA STUDENTS' DEMOCRATIC FRONT ISSUED A  STATEMENT
SUNDAY IN SUPPORT OF MR. ARIS' APPLICATION.  THE GROUP  SAYS THE VISA
REQUEST SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A HUMANITARIAN ISSUE,  NOT A POLITICAL ONE.

THE GROUP SAYS AUNG SAN SUU KYI HAS NOT LEFT FOR BRITAIN FOR FEAR OF NOT
BEING ALLOWED TO RETURN TO RANGOON.

THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN, THE EUROPEAN UNION AND JAPAN ARE
AMONG NATIONS WHICH HAVE APPEALED ON MR. ARIS' BEHALF.

LITTLE IS KNOWN OF HOW AUNG SAN SUU KYI IS COPING WITH THE
ORDEAL.  ACQUAINTANCES SAYS SHE HAS A STRONG, RESILIENT

CHARACTER. (SIGNED)

NEB / WD / WD



21-Mar-99 6:39 AM EST (1139 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
 .