Burma/Dissident (r)

[brelief@xxxxxxx]

DATE=4/22/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-230045
TITLE=BURMA/ DISSIDENT (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=GARY THOMAS
DATELINE=BANGKOK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  A MEMBER OF BURMA'S PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT HAS BEEN SENT 
TO PRISON -- BUT THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT SAYS THE SENTENCE IS NOT
NEW.  GARY THOMAS REPORTS FROM OUT SOUTHEAST ASIA BUREAU IN 
BANGKOK THE  OPPOSITION SAYS SHE IS BEING PUNISHED FOR GIVING A 
RADIO INTERVIEW WHILE THE GOVERNMENT SAYS SHE WAS RETURNED TO 
PRISON FOR VIOLATING TERMS OF HER AMNESTY. 

TEXT:  A BURMESE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN WEDNESDAY CONFIRMED THAT 
SAN SAN, A  MEMBER OF THE OPPOSITION NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR 
DEMOCRACY, HAS BEEN SENT TO PRISON TO SERVE A 25 YEAR TERM.

THE OPPOSITION SAYS SHE AND SEVEN OTHER PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED LAST
OCTOBER  AFTER AN ABORTIVE ATTEMPT TO HOLD A MEETING BETWEEN 
MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY AND THE PARTY 
LEADER, AUNG SAN SUU KYI. ACCORDING TO OPPOSITION SOURCES, SAN 
SAN WAS SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON FOR GIVING AN 
INTERVIEW TO A FOREIGN RADIO STATION, THE BRITISH BROADCASTING 
CORPORATION.  

THE OPPOSITION SAYS THE TERM WAS INCREASED TO 25 YEARS, WHEN SHE 
REFUSED TO PLEDGE TO REFRAIN FROM POLITICAL ACTIVITY.

BUT THE GOVERNMENT HAS A DIFFERENT VERSION.  A SPOKESMAN SAYS SAN
SAN WAS  SENTENCED IN 1991 TO 25 YEARS IN PRISON FOR HIGH 
TREASON.  SHE WAS CHARGED WITH TRYING TO SET UP A "PARALLEL 
GOVERNMENT" IN BURMA.  THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAYS SHE WAS 
GRANTED AMNESTY IN 1992, BUT WAS SENT BACK TO PRISON TO SERVE OUT
HER ORIGINAL SENTENCE BECAUSE SHE BROKE THE TERMS OF HER AMNESTY.
THE SPOKESMAN DID NOT ELABORATE, SAYING ONLY THAT SHE  PLEDGED 
TO, AS HE PUT IT, ABIDE BY THE LAW.

THE SPOKESMAN DENIED SAN SAN HAS BEEN IMPRISONED FOR GIVING A 
MEDIA INTERVIEW, ADDING THAT IF THE GOVERNMENT WERE TO ARREST 
EVERYONE WHO GIVES INTERVIEWS, IT WOULD HAVE TO EXPAND ITS 
PRISONS.

SAN SAN, WHO IS 58, WAS ELECTED TO PARLIAMENT IN THE 1990 
ELECTIONS. HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT THREW OUT THE RESULTS AFTER 
THE NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY WON BY AN OVERWHELMING MARGIN.

LEAGUE DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY TIN OO TOLD REUTER NEWS AGENCY 
THAT SAN SAN'S SENTENCE MAY INDICATE A NEW CRACKDOWN ON THE 
PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT. HE SAID HE DOES NOT KNOW WHY THE SENTENCE
WAS SO HARSH, BUT THE LEAGUE WOULD MOUNT LEGAL APPEALS AGAINST 
IT.  (SIGNED)

NEB/GPT/GC/FC

22-Apr-98 6:22 AM EDT (1022 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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