BBC- Burma gets tough over'Four Nin

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Subject: BBC- Burma gets tough over'Four Nines Day'

		BBC- World: Asia-Pacific

             Burma gets tough over'Four Nines Day' 

		The authorities in Burma are reported to have imposed
             new security measures to counter a threatened uprising
             this week. 

             Anti-government activists have called for action on
             Thursday. The date - 9/9/99 or Four Nines Day - is
             considered auspicious in a country where many people
             set great store by signs and superstitions. 

             The military junta which rules Burma - also known as
             Myanmar - is deploying extra police and troops at official
             buildings and temples in the capital, Rangoon, according
             to residents. 

             They also say that restaurants and teashops, where
             hundreds of people gather after work, have been asked
             to close. 

             Burma's embassy in Thailand has stopped issuing
             tourist visas to independent foreign travellers. 

             A spokesman at the embassy said the ban was a would
             stay in force "until further notice". 

             'Malicious rumours' 

             A war of words is developing between the government
             and the activists. 

             The All Burma Students' Democratic Front claimed that
             500 people had been arrested in an attempt to thwart an
             uprising. 

             The authorities have responded by calling on all
             opposition groups to contribute to national development
             instead of spreading "malicious rumours". 

             They have also denied reports that curfews had been
             imposed in some parts of the country. 


             However, in August the
             authorities said that 32
             people had been arrested in
             connection with a conspiracy
             to cause unrest. 

             But while the government
             appears to be playing down
             any concerns it has about a
             possible uprising, the deputy
             foreign minister has warned
             that any attempt at protest
             will be in vain. 

             Khin Maung Win said severe and effective action would
             be taken against anyone disturbing peace and law and
             order in Burma. 

             Demonstrations crushed 

             He added that the country did not wish to see a repeat of
             the "anarchic situation" of 1988. 

             In August that year - on 8/8/88 - the military moved to
             crush pro-democracy demonstrations. Human rights
             groups claim as many as 3,000 protesters were killed. 

             Elections were held two years later, but despite winning
             a huge majority, the National League for Democracy was
             not allowed to take over. 

             Its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has refused to condemn
             the calls for unrest, which have mainly come from
             dissidents in exile.