NEWS - Myanmar Party: End Military

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Subject: NEWS - Myanmar Party: End Military Rule

Myanmar Party: End Military Rule

 .c The Associated Press

 YANGON, Myanmar (AP) - The opposition party led by Nobel Peace
Prize-winner Aung San Suu Kyi marked the 52nd anniversary Tuesday of
Myanmar's independence from Britain by urging people to unite against
harsh military rule.

Suu Kyi, whose political activities are limited by the government,
attended a celebration at the headquarters of her National League for
Democracy. She was joined by about 400 supporters, diplomats and
journalists.

``Though Myanmar has gained freedom from colonial rule, citizens are
still deprived of human rights under the military rulers,'' the party
said in an 11-page statement. ``We urge the people to join hands with
the NLD for the establishment of a modern and democratic nation that
guarantees human rights.''

Still, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, chairman of the ruling council of
generals, signaled that the military government has not softened its
view of the opposition, which it considers lackeys of Western powers
bent on recolonizing Myanmar, also known as Burma.

``It is imperative to oppose and eradicate with people's might the
destructive danger of the terrorist and destructive group heading for
utter devastation,'' said Than Shwe in a message read out by Yangon's
military commander in a simple flag-raising ceremony.

Myanmar has had only a brief experience with civilian government since
Britain's 120-year rule ended Jan. 4, 1948. The military seized power in
1962 and impoverished the country in a quarter-century of isolated,
socialist rule.

Widespread street protests against the military government in 1988 and
were bloodily repressed but resulted in a new, market-oriented regime.
The National League for Democracy won overwhelminginly in 1990
elections, but the military refused to allow parliament to convene.

Veteran politicians who played a key role in the independence struggle
on Tuesday reiterated a call for dialogue between the regime and Suu
Kyi's party.

The National Coalition of the Union of Burma, an umbrella of opposition
exile and resistance groups, held an Independence Day celebration along
Myanmar's border with Thailand.

``The army's failure to solve political problems by negotiations means
civil war in Burma has not stopped,'' said Maung Aye, information
minister of a self-proclaimed government-in-exile.

AP-NY-01-04-00 1334EST