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Burmese students blame ASEAN for cr



Subject: Burmese students blame ASEAN for crisis in Burma 

Burmese students blame ASEAN for crisis in Burma
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(Radio Australia, 08.08.99)

Exiled Burmese students in Bangkok have blamed ASEAN for condoning human
rights violations in their country.

About 150 students and monks gathered in front of the Burmese embassy in a
peaceful but noisy protest, carrying banners calling for democracy and the
release of political prisoners.

The protest comes on the 11th anniversary of a massacre of pro-democracy
demonstrators by the military, which seized power from military dictator Ne
Win.

The students said ASEAN's policy of constructuve engagement proves it has
lost touch with the Burmese people's real needs.

Students also called for ASEAN and the international community to pressure
the junta to hold talks with the opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Meanwhile leader Aung San Suu Kyi has urged the military to allow democracy,
saying there would be no retribution for decades of harsh rule.