Washington Post on Burma

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Wary Burmese Voice Sorrow For Dissident

Associated Press
Monday, March 29, 1999; Page A16 

BANGKOK, March 28?Sympathy for opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi after the
death of her husband in London was muted in Burma today because of fear of
the military government.

The government issued its condolences to its most bitter opponent but was
branded as "heartless" by human rights workers for refusing to allow Suu Kyi
a final visit from her dying husband.

"I feel sorry for Daw Suu, and I think she is a strong and brave woman,"
said Myint Maung, a retired businessman, referring to Suu Kyi by a word for
"aunt," a term of affection. "I want to convey my condolences personally,
but I am afraid my name will be marked down by the police."

With no mention of his death in state-run media, many people in the Burmese
capital, Rangoon, were unaware that Michael Aris, husband of the 1991 Nobel
Peace Prize winner and democracy activist, had died. Aris, a professor at
Oxford University, died of prostate cancer on Saturday, his 53rd birthday.

Aris had applied repeatedly for a visa to see his wife one last time, but
authorities refused to allow him into Burma. They advised Suu Kyi to visit
him in Britain, but she refused, fearing the military junta would not let
her back into Burma.

Suu Kyi was under house arrest from 1989 to 1995. 

The government issued a statement today saying it "is deeply saddened to
hear of Michael Aris's demise and sends its sincerest condolences and
sympathy to the bereaved family in this time of grief."