VOA : BURMA / ANNIVERSARY -GARY THO

[hlaing@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Voice of America
DATE=8/8/98
BURMA / ANNIVERSARY 
GARY THOMAS(BANGKOK)

INTRO: BURMA IS REPORTED CALM TODAY -- THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF 
THE MILITARY'S RUTHLESS SUPPRESSION OF A DEMOCRACY UPRISING.  
SCATTERED  RALLIES ORGANIZED BY BURMESE EXILES WERE HELD IN 
SEVERAL CITIES, OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY.  AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT GARY
THOMAS REPORTS FROM OUR SOUTHEAST ASIA BUREAU IN BANGKOK, BURMA'S
MILITARY GOVERNMENT IS USING THE OCCASION TO LASH OUT AT THE 
DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION.

TEXT:  DESPITE RUMORS OF DEMONSTRATIONS TO MARK THE ANNIVERSARY, 
PROTESTS IN BURMA DID NOT MATERIALIZE SATURDAY.  RANGOON WAS 
QUIET AND THERE WERE FEW SIGNS OF ANY INCREASED SECURITY, EXCEPT 
FOR A FEW ADDITIONAL CHECKPOINTS NEAR THE HOME OF AUNG SAN SUU 
KYI -- LEADER OF THE PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT.

HOWEVER, EXILES STAGED PROTESTS IN OTHER COUNTRIES, INCLUDING 
THAILAND AND AUSTRALIA, TO DEMAND AN END TO REPRESSION AND 
INSTALLATION OF DEMOCRATIC RULE.

IN COMMENTS PUBLISHED IN BURMA'S STATE-RUN NEWSPAPERS SATURDAY,  
BURMA'S POWERFUL CHIEF OF MILITARY INTELLIGENCE -- LIEUTENANT 
GENERAL KHIN NYUNT -- ACCUSES FOREIGN NEWS AGENCIES, WESTERN 
GOVERNMENTS AND BURMESE DISSIDENTS OF CONSPIRING UNDER WHAT HE 
SAYS IS A "PRETEXT" OF DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS TO UNDERMINE 
THE GOVERNMENT.

THE GOVERNMENT OFFERED FRIDAY TO HOLD TALKS WITH THE NATIONAL 
LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY, BUT SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED AUNG SAN SUU KYI 
-- THEREBY GUARANTEEING THE OFFER WOULD BE TURNED DOWN.  (SIGNED)