DATE=8/23/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=BURMA POLITICS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-253020
BYLINE=RON CORBEN
DATELINE=BANGKOK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Burmese students in exile, hoping to create a
mass movement against Burma's military government,
have nevertheless rejected reports they are seeking a
general uprising early next month. Ron Corben reports
from Bangkok the students' comments come as a senior
Burmese military leader threatened to annihilate those
urging a September revolt.
TEXT: While dismissing expectations of a general
uprising, Burmese students in exile say they are
looking for a political spark to create a mass
movement against the military government.
The chairman of the All Burma Students Democratic
Front -or A-B-S-D-F -- Naing Aung, says the students
are trying to coordinate with the people inside Burma,
to achieve their goal.
But, in an interview with V-O-A, Mr. Naing Aung
insists the campaign is not aimed at fomenting street
demonstrations or an uprising.
The A-B-S-D-F's efforts began August eighth -- the
eleventh anniversary of the military government coming
to power -- and the group has since been carrying out
what it calls a confidence-building campaign.
The students say that up to 150 people have been
arrested in Burma amid signs of protests and for the
distribution of leaflets. The military government says
just 37 arrests have been made in recent weeks.
The military government has described efforts to
incite unrest as frivolous, saying they will only
hamper the nation's development.
The members of the A-B-S-D-F are the remnants of the
students who fled the country 11 years ago, when the
current government came to power, brutally suppressing
calls for an end to military rule.
The latest efforts against the government have
focussed on September ninth. Known as the "four nines
campaign," because the date is written 9-9-99, it is
based on the Burmese belief in numerology.
Burma's army commander and vice chairman of the ruling
State Peace and Development Council, General Maung
Aye, has threatened to, as he put it, annihilate those
calling for an uprising next month.
Official newspapers this past weekend quoted General
Maung Aye as saying the military is superior, stronger
and more consolidated than it was in 1988.
Burma's armed forces presently number some 400-
thousand personnel in uniform.
The Bangkok Post newspaper -- in an editorial Monday -
- said while the military government fears an uprising
in September, it still refuses
to take the obvious, easy steps which would prevent
any violence.
The paper said Burma's leaders should open a true
dialogue with the democratic forces who wish to bring
peaceful change to their country.
NEB/RC/FC/PLM
23-Aug-1999 05:12 AM EDT (23-Aug-1999 0912 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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