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NEWS - Exiled Myanmar Protesters Ma



Subject: NEWS - Exiled Myanmar Protesters Mark 11 Years of Suppression

Exiled Myanmar Protesters Mark 11 Years of Suppression

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- Myanmar opposition leaders predicted Saturday
that democracy is only months away -- but there's been little sign of
any widespread uprising against the military government tied to recent
auspicious days and anniversaries. 

Only a few, small-scale acts of defiance have been reported in Myanmar
in recent weeks despite calls by the rebels for major demonstrations on
9-9-99 -- Sept. 9 -- which is held to be an auspicious day. 

About 200 exiled activists staged a peaceful protest Saturday before the
Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok to mark the 11th anniversary of a military
coup that suppressed the pro-democracy movement led by Aung San Suu Kyi.
The group chanted slogans lauding democracy and urged the international
community to help bring an end to military rule. 

"We are in good shape. We will achieve our goal in a few months," Moe
The Zun told a press conference in the Thai capital. He and other
leaders of the exiled National Coalition Government of the Union of
Burma said the recent high state of security and the buying of favor by
the handing out of rice and other items in the countryside reflected the
military's fear and weakness. 

"They are on the defensive now," he said, claiming that small-scale
demonstrations, the distribution of leaflets and other anti-government
agitation was continuing in many parts of Myanmar, also known as Burma. 

The protesters also demanded the ruling military council immediately
release all political prisoners including Rachel Goldwyn and James
Mawdsley, two British activists arrested recently in Myanmar for
anti-government activities. Both received long prison terms. 

But in an apparent reference to the two cases, an official Myanmar
newspaper commentary Saturday warned that the government would show no
leniency to anyone who violated the country's laws or rules. 

Mawdsley has been sentenced to 17 years imprisonment for distributing
anti-government leaflets, while Goldwyn was handed a seven-year prison
term for "disrupting peace and stability" by singing pro-democracy
songs. 

In Bangkok, Thai police said the demonstrators, including nine on a
hunger strike, had to end their agitation, which began last week, by
late afternoon Saturday or face arrest. The hunger strikers were to end
their fast later Saturday, having their first meal in six days. 

Copyright 1999 The Associated Press.All rights reserved