NEWS - Focus-Burma Military Blocks

[BurmaJapan@xxxxxxx]

Focus-Burma Military Blocks Suu Kyi Leaving Home

               Reuters
               13-NOV-97

               RANGOON, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Burmese
               opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was
               prevented from leaving her Rangoon home
               on Thursday by barbed wire barricades,
               forcing her to miss a party gathering in a
               nearby township, party members and
               witnesses said. 

               Her National League for Democracy Party
               (NLD) protested strongly to Burma's military
               government for barring her way. 

               But the ruling State Law and Order
               Restoration (SLORC) said in a statement
               that it stopped her from leaving her
               residence because the NLD intended to
               damage peace and stability by driving
               around in procession in downtown Rangoon.

               ``Close and careful observation of the
               movement's activities clearly revealed the
               underlying ulterior motive and plan to
               proceed with a huge crowd in a convoy of
               cars to disrupt the peace and tranquillity of
               the city,'' the SLORC said. 

               ``Such a situation cannot be tolerated or
               condoned. Thus to prevent further
               aggravation of the problem, University
               Avenue had been sealed off and Daw Suu
               Kyi requested not to proceed to the NLD
               office,'' it added. 

               ``In spite of the courteous request she
               refused to comply and as a gesture of
               protest she refused to get out of the car,'' it
               said. 

               Witnesses and party members said senior
               NLD members were also not allowed to pass
               through the barbed wire -- put up by traffic
               police -- to enter Suu Kyi's home. 

               ``Aung San Suu Kyi was supposed to have
               gone to Hlaing township NLD office at 8.30
               to carry out matters concerning organisation
               of the youth,'' the NLD's executive central
               committee said in a statement. Hlaing is
               about 11 km (seven miles) north of Rangoon.

               ``The NLD, ever since its formation has never
               damaged the peace and tranquillity of the
               community by its activities... as accused by
               the authorities,. Therefore, the NLD strongly
               protests against the actions by the
               authorities,'' the statement added. 

               Suu Kyi, who was freed from six years of
               house arrest in July 1995, held a political
               gathering outside Rangoon on October 23
               without SLORC interference. 

               But the junta has foiled a number of
               subsequent attempts to hold meetings
               outside Rangoon. 

               SLORC said last week the authorities would
               only allow NLD party gatherings if they were
               inside the compound of Suu Kyi's residence.

               NLD won a landslide victory in 1990 election
               but SLORC ignored the result and refused to
               hand over power. 

               The SLORC and NLD have been at
               loggerheads since then. The authorities have
               curbed the party's political activities and
               detained and later freed thousands of its
               members and supporters.