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VOA : BURMA / AUNG SAN SUU KYI -GAR
Voice of America
DATE=8/7/98
BURMA / AUNG SAN SUU KYI
GARY THOMAS (BANGKOK)
INTRO: ANGERED OVER HER RECENT TREATMENT BY AUTHORITIES, BURMESE
PRO-DEMOCRACY LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI HAS DEMANDED THAT THE
GOVERNMENT SECURITY DETAIL STATIONED AROUND HER HOME LEAVE. THE
GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WILL COMPLY WITH HER REQUEST, BUT NO TIMETABLE
HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE TEAM'S WITHDRAWAL. VOA CORRESPONDENT GARY
THOMAS REPORTS FROM OUR SOUTHEAST ASIA BUREAU IN BANGKOK.
TEXT: AUNG SAN SUU KYI HAS DEMANDED THAT THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT
WITHDRAW THE SECURITY PERSONNEL STATIONED AROUND THE CLOCK AT HER
LAKESIDE COMPOUND IN RANGOON. THE GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WILL DO SO.
HER PARTY, THE NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY, SAYS AUNG SAN SUU
KYI SENT A LETTER TO GENERAL THAN SHWE LAST WEEK ASKING THAT THE
SECURITY PERSONNEL BE WITHDRAWN. ON FRIDAY MORNING, SHE ORDERED
THE GUARDS TO LEAVE.
IN A STATEMENT ISSUED FRIDAY AFTERNOON, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN
SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS SURPRISED AT WHAT HE LABELS HER "REQUEST"
AND THAT SHE GAVE NO EXPLANATION. THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE
GOVERNMENT IS NEVERTHELESS HAPPY TO COMPLY AND THAT DISCUSSIONS
ARE CURRENTLY UNDERWAY ABOUT THE SECURITY MEASURES. HE ADDS,
HOWEVER, THAT AS WHAT HE TERMS A "PROMINENT CITIZEN" AND THE
DAUGHTER OF A NATIONAL HERO, AUNG SAN SUU KYI WILL ALWAYS BE
PROVIDED WITH ALL NECESSARY SECURITY AND PROTECTION.
ACCORDING TO WESTERN DIPLOMATS WHO HAVE TALKED TO HER, AUNG SAN
SUU KYI IS ANGRY OVER HER TREATMENT AT THE HANDS OF HER SECURITY
DETAIL DURING A STANDOFF OUTSIDE RANGOON. SHE WAS STOPPED BY
AUTHORITIES OUTSIDE RANGOON FROM TRAVELLING TO MEET WITH PARTY
LEADERS. AFTER SIX DAYS BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SECURITY
PERSONNEL TOOK CONTROL OF HER CAR AND FORCED HER BACK TO HER
RANGOON COMPOUND.
AUNG SAN SUU KYI AGREED TO ALLOW A SECURITY DETAIL ON THE
PREMISES OF HER RANGOON COMPOUND FOLLOWING HER RELEASE FROM HOUSE
ARREST IN 1995, BELIEVING THEM TO BE NECESSARY FOR HER SAFETY.
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE SECURITY DETAIL HAS BEEN
PROVIDED AT NO EXPENSE.
HOWEVER, THE SECURITY DETAIL ALSO PERFORMS INTELLIGENCE
FUNCTIONS, KEEPING TRACK OF VISITORS AND, WHEN THE GOVERNMENT
DEEMS FIT, CUTTING OFF OUTSIDE ACCESS TO THE DEMOCRACY LEADER.
TENSIONS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT HAVE
RISEN IN RECENT WEEKS. IN A COUNTRY WHERE INFORMATION IS TIGHTLY
CONTROLLED BY THE GOVERNMENT, RUMORS ARE IN WIDE CIRCULATION,
WITH MOST OF THEM SPEAKING OF SOME LOOMING SHOWDOWN BETWEEN THE
N-L-D AND THE GOVERNMENT.
SATURDAY MARKS THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PRO-DEMOCRACY
UPRISING THAT WAS RUTHLESSLY CRUSHED BY AUTHORITIES. IT IS NOT
KNOWN WHAT COMMEMORATION, IF ANY, THE DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT PLANS
INSIDE BURMA. HOWEVER, EXILE GROUPS ARE USING THE OCCASION TO
REITERATE CALLS FOR THE OUSTER OF THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT AND THE
INSTALLATION OF DEMOCRATIC RULE.
THE N-L-D HAS ALSO DEMANDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT CONVENE THE
PARLIAMENT THAT WAS ELECTED IN THE 1990 ELECTIONS BY AUGUST 21ST.
THE N-L-D OVERWHELMINGLY WON THOSE ELECTIONS, BUT THE MILITARY
REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE RESULTS. SINCE THEN, THE MILITARY
GOVERNMENT HAS WAGED A STEADY CAMPAIGN TO HARASS AND INTIMIDATE
THE PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/GPT/GC/FC
07-Aug-98 6:19 AM EDT (1019 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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