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Fwd: Burma Doctor Loses License

from Philip McCracken  F.B.C.
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Forwarded message:
>From:	AOLNewsProfiles@xxxxxxx
Date: 97-03-07 15:05:19 EST

<HTML><PRE><I>.c The Associated Press</I></PRE></HTML>

      By PATRICK McDOWELL
      BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - A Burmese doctor who is a prominent
pro-democracy supporter as well as a brother-in-law to one of the
military regime's rulers has been stripped of his medical license.
      Dr. Than Nyein, a parliament member for the pro-democracy
National League for Democracy, lost his license for allegedly
opening a clinic without official permission.
      Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, winner of the 1991 Nobel
Peace Prize, cited Than Nyein's case as an example of the regime's
stepped-up efforts to smash her party.
      Speaking to reporters this week, Suu Kyi said such medical
clinics are common and claimed Than Nyein was ``targeted simply
because he is a member of parliament of the NLD.''
      Authorities say Than Nyein's clinic was merely one of 312
against which action was taken during a widespread crackdown.
      Than Nyein apparently violated regulations by consulting with a
few patients who had come to see him before the clinic was open
officially.
      In a report to National League for Democracy officials seen
Friday in Bangkok, Than Nyein said his Rangoon clinic was closed
Feb. 17 and its files searched.
      Than Nyein said he would protest the search and was told in
reply he would be investigated.
      ``It is clear that the authorities have determined with great
vindictiveness and in a lawless fashion to crush all those working
for democracy at different levels of the National League for
Democracy,'' Than Nyein said.
      The reported actions followed an address Than Nyein gave to
party members on Feb. 12 at the home of Suu Kyi. The gathering had
been one of few since September when authorities put up roadblocks
around her home.
      Burmese officials confirmed Friday that Than Nyein is an elder
brother of Dr. Khin Win Shwe, wife of Gen. Khin Nyunt, the powerful
head of military intelligence.
      Khin Nyunt is one of four generals comprising the ruling State
Law and Order Restoration Council, which never allowed the
overwhelmingly pro-Suu Kyi parliament to convene. His wife heads
the Myanmar Mother and Children Association.
      The military has ruled Burma, which it calls Myanmar, since
1962. The current regime succeeded an earlier dictatorship during
anti-government protests in 1988 and killed thousands of
demonstrators.
      The government recently has launched an offensive against ethnic
Karen rebels on its 400-mile frontier with Thailand. A statement
Friday noted that the Karens are the last remaining ethnic rebel
group to refuse to sign a cease-fire agreement.
      The statement said 54 rebels had turned in their weapons this
week and more were expected to do so in coming days.
      The Karen National Union, which has fought for greater autonomy
from Rangoon for almost five decades, had been engaged in
exploratory talks with the government over a cease-fire, but
negotiations recently broke down.
      AP-NY-03-07-97 1502EST
      <HTML><PRE><I><FONT COLOR="#000000 SIZE=2>Copyright 1997 The Associated
Press.  The information 
contained in the AP news report may not be published, 
broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without 
prior written authority of The Associated Press.<FONT COLOR="#000000
SIZE=3></I></PRE></HTML>


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