DATE=8/24/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=BURMA - POLITICS UPDATE (L-O)
NUMBER=2-253066
BYLINE=RON CORBEN
DATELINE=BANGKOK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
///// CHANGES LEAD ADDS TEXT GRAF 5 TO
CR2-253063. /////
INTRO: Burmese opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi,
is quoted as giving support to Burmese dissidents
campaigning for a mass movement and possible civil
unrest on September ninth. Ron Corben reports from
Bangkok the Nobel Laureate says her party, however, is
not leading the campaign.
TEXT: In an interview with the French news agency, A-
F-P, Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is
quoted as supporting a mass demonstration called for
by dissident groups and students in exile.
The so-called - Four-Nines Campaign -- marking
September ninth, 1999 - has been launched as part of a
mass movement, which opposition students say is aimed
at trying to create a political spark for change.
Aung San Suu Kyi is quoted as saying that while the
campaign has not been led by her party, the National
League for Democracy, she would not abandon dissidents
calling for the Four-Nines Campaign.
The news agency says the opposition leader warned the
military could use the campaign as an opportunity to
crack down against the country's pro-democracy
movement.
Diplomats in Rangoon told V-O-A Aung San Suu Kyi's
comments appear to be in response to statements, made
by military officials at recent news conferences. The
military has accused what it termed -- destructive
elements -- of plotting civil unrest around the
September ninth date. The military has also accused
the National League for Democracy of being involved
with those plans.
A student leader in exile, Naing Aung, of the All
Burma Students Democratic Front said the Four-Nines
Campaign is aiming to create a mass movement rather
than street demonstrations or an uprising.
The group reports 150-people have been arrested in
connection with the campaign. The military government
says at least 37-people have been detained.
The campaign -- linked to the Burmese belief in
numerology -- has been dismissed by the military. In
a statement, the government appealed to the dissidents
to halt their activities and to make a meaningful
contribution to the country.
The government is encouraging the anti-government
forces to become, what it calls, responsible members
of the Burmese community and engage as constructive
forces, adding efforts to incite unrest were
frivolous.
But Aung San Suu Kyi said if there were a general
uprising it would be due to the discontent of the
people, and the hardships the Burmese people face.
Burma's economy is deep in recession and human rights
groups allege mass human rights violations by the
military-led government.
Little progress toward political or economic reform
has been made, despite international pressure. Talks
between the military government and the National
league for Democracy led opposition have also been at
a stalemate.
NEB/RC/GC/FC/RAE
24-Aug-1999 08:42 AM LOC (24-Aug-1999 1242 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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