[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

Suu Kyi defiant amid calls for her (r)



Subject: Suu Kyi defiant amid calls for her arrest.



		Suu Kyi defiant amid calls for her arrest
		*****************************************

	The Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi told supporters 
outside her residence in Rangoon yesterday that going to jail for one's 
beliefs was a sacrifice worth making, as the official media called for 
her re-arrest.

	Addressing a crowd of about 4000 in heavy rain outside the house 
where she was held for six years, Ms Suu Kyi said: "we go to jail as a 
sacrifice for our beliefs...this is something to be proud of...not to be 
embarrassed about."

	The comments followed a call for the arrest of the Nobel peace 
laureate, who heads the main opposition National League for Democracy, in 
yesterday's Mirror.

	An open letter accused Ms Suu Kyi and her "rabble" of blatantly 
violating a law passed last month that prohibits political activity 
judged to obstruct the military Government's national convention to frame 
a new constitution. "One woman and her cohorts are taking advantage of 
the broad-mindedness of the authorities by blatantly defying the law to 
hold public meetings every weekend," said the letter, sent in the name of 
a "patriot".

	"It is time to take legal action by arresting this woman and her 
cohorts as well as the rabble who go to listen to her speeches."

	The law, passed after more than 250 party delegates were rounded 
up in advance of a party convention in May, effectively bans any mass 
political gathering not sanctioned by the state and threatens jail terms 
of up to 20 years.

	A commentary in the Mirror also advocated legal action against 
the activist and her supporters for directing false accusations against 
the Government.

	"Suu Kyi not only voilates prescribed laws but insults the 
Government, belittles the military, calls for economic sanctions and acts 
as a foreign stooge," said the commentary signed by Pe Zaw Gyee.

	On Friday, about 10,000 representatives of 21 non-governmental 
social and service organisations, including the Red Cross and the Writers 
Association, staged a rally in Rangoon in support of the Government.

[AFP, Rangoon, 30 July 1996].

------------------------------------------------------------------------------