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The Nation
Politics 
Opposition calls for support for Suu Kyi

GROUPS opposed to the military regime in Burma on Friday urged people to be
alert to support pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a looming
showdown with the government. 

The appeals came on the eve of the 10th anniversary of a nationwide
uprising against military rule on August 8, 1988, that was eventually
crushed by the army. As many as 3,000 people are believed to have died. The
date -- 8-8-88 -- resonates in a country where many people believe strongly
in numerology. 

The anniversary comes two weeks before a deadline set by Suu Kyi for the
ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) to finally permit a
parliament elected in 1990 to convene. The military refused to relinquish
power after the opposition won. 

The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma issued an appeal on
Friday supporting Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD) in
getting the military to restore civilian rule, last seen in 1962. 

The coalition, representing parliamentarians who have fled into exile,
urged ''the entire people to participate, unanimously on a nationwide
scale, in the effort to have the parliament convened by Aug 21, by holding
fast to the spirit of the Four-8 movement.'' 

The National Council of the Union of Burma, an umbrella group for ethnic
minorities, some of whom have fought for more autonomy for 50 years, issued
a similar call and said it had launched an undefined programme called
Operation People's Power 21. 

Despite anticipation that the anniversary could trigger fresh unrest, the
Burmese capital has been quiet. There has been almost no visible increase
in security forces. 

Saturday's anniversary has led human-rights groups to appeal for the
release of some of the estimated 1,200 political prisoners and for the
international community to review policy toward the country. 

The New York-based Human Rights Watch said on Friday that the chief players
in the country's drama -- the military, the Suu Kyi-led opposition and the
ethnic groups -- need to communicate. 

Human Rights Watch called for international coordination that would set
specific, verifiable human rights improvements for the country to follow
that would lead to an incremental restoration of economic and diplomatic
relations. 

Deputy Foreign Minister Sukhumbhand Paribatra on Friday urged the Burmese
military junta and the NLD to hold talks to secure a short term and
immediate solution which are satisfactory to both sides and soothe the
politically-charged atmosphere. 

Sukhumbhand said the controversies in Burma in many cases have affected
Thailand, which is now in difficult situation due to economic crisis. 

''We believe that both parties, NLD and the military junta should seek
talks to reach an immediate solution to lower down the political
controversy,'' he said. 

Bangkok does not want to see the conflict in Burma being prolonged as it
could lead to uncertainty and problems which could affect the Burmese and
neighbouring countries, particularly Thailand. 

''We felt sympathy towards the Burmese people in particular because the
political instability has prevented the international community from
providing aid to them. Once Burma enjoys peace, the people will get help
from foreign countries and that will improve their living standards,'' he
said. 

Meanwhile, Japan on Friday urged Thailand to back direct dialogue between
Suu Kyi and the country's junta, a Foreign Ministry official said. 

Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura on Thursday made his first telephone call
to his Thai counterpart Surin Pitsuwan since he was appointed head of the
ministry in a new cabinet led by Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi. 

Komura was quoted by the ministry official as telling the Thai foreign
minister that Tokyo was ''concerned'' about tensions in Burma. 



The Nation, Agencies